Online Chess Classes in Australia: Helping Your Child Master the 64 Squares

In Australia, chess has become an attractive game. The transition from video games to the chess board is seen in Sydney and Melbourne local clubs as well as in school playgrounds of Brisbane and Perth with more children than ever doing so. As a parent, you may have noticed that your child is interested in the school tournament or the local library event and you are now wondering about the next step.

At Upstep Academy, we focus on converting that spark of interest to a lifelong skill. If you want to sign up your child for the best online chess classes Australia has to offer, you are at the right place indeed. We don’t limit our teaching to kids only learning how pieces move, but we teach them how to think, plan, and succeed, all from home. Thus, whether you are looking for kids’ chess lessons in Australia for a complete beginner or a junior star requiring advanced coaching, our platform will make this world-class chess learning easy and fun.

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Upstep Academy for Australian Families:
Unique Experience

The search for chess coaching in Sydney and Melbourne through the internet can turn out to be repetitive to some extent. The majority of the programs utilize big and in person classrooms. Our philosophy differs; for us, chess is a dialogue rather than a monologue. Here comes the list of reasons why Upstep Academy is the online chess academy preferred by the families in Australia.

A Legend's Inspiration: Viswanathan Anand

Among all, the name of the most respected person in chess, 5-Time World Chess Champion comes first when discussing sportsmanship and genius – who is none other than Viswanathan Anand. One of the reasons why we feel proud at Upstep Academy is that our certificates of graduation are not only inspired by but also signed by Vishy Anand. For young students in Australia, having a certificate acknowledged by a world-class legend is not only a significant confidence booster but also a valuable addition to their academic portfolio.

Real Interaction through Small Batches of 1:4

The majority of the online chess classes in Australia put too many children in one Zoom call. Upstep Academy, however, is strict with a ratio of 1:4 in the classes. This guarantees that your child receives the personal attention that is needed. Our Australian online chess tutoring is able to witness every move that your child makes, thus providing timely feedback and support.

FIDE-Rated Mentors and Grandmasters

We are not just hiring “good players.” We are hiring certified professionals. Our team consists of fide rated chess coaches who know how to maintain kids’ interest. For those interested in junior chess training in Australia, our Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP) opens the door of learning straight from International Masters and Grandmasters.

Is your child ready to think three moves ahead?
Book a FREE 1:1 Demo Session and meet our expert coaches today!

Beyond the Board:
Why Aussie Parents Value Chess

If you are a parent in Australia (probably aged between 28-48) you would choose activities that develop “real-world” skills as your main priority. Chess is a game, but it is also a dynamic educational tool that goes hand in hand with the Australian curriculum’s spotlight on critical thinking and STEM.

Improved Concentration

In this era of digital distractions, chess classes for kids in Australia impart the importance of “deep focus” to children.

Logical Reasoning

A chess move is a “problem” that has to find the “solution.” This is visual mathematics at its best.

Emotional Resilience

Winning is nice; however, losing gracefully and evaluating your mistakes are both important life lessons that we teach in our junior chess training in Australia.

STEM Skills

Patterns, coordinates, and geometry are all inherent in the chess board. It is the ultimate activity for a developing brain.

From Perth to Brisbane: Chess for Everyone Regardless of the Time Zone

Australia is vast and it can be really difficult to get good coaching if you are not situated in a big city. Our virtual chess academy is the solution to that problem.

We offer chess classes in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide online or specialized chess coaching in Sydney and Melbourne online, regardless of which Australian time zone (AEST, ACST, AWST) you are in. This has made us a preferred choice for families wanting school holiday chess programs in Australia online or a consistent weekly routine that works around school and sports.

Ready to find a schedule that works for you? View our flexible pricing and plans and start your journey!

Our Curriculum: The Roadmap to Mastery

We are proponents of a gradual method. The curriculum is therefore laid out in five distinct levels, which means that your child will always know what he or she is working for.

Level 1: The Foundation (Beginners)
Level 2: Tactical Awareness
Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Level 4 & 5: Advanced Mastery

This is the level suited for newcomers to participate in online chess classes in Australia.
Learning to pair the pieces with their “superpowers.”
The 3 Golden Rules: Master the center, move the pieces, and King safety.
Getting the first checkmate.

Going from “playing” to “winning” instantaneously.
Tactics introduction: Forks, Pins, and Skewers.
Comprehending piece values (Why a Queen is rated 9 and a Pawn is rated 1).
Learning basic endgame patterns.

A standalone level designed for those aspiring to the standards of ACF rated chess coaching in Australia.

Opening Repertoire: Starting to build a personal “style” for the first 10 moves of a game.
Improved Calculation: Learning to visualize 2 moves at best (developing that “inner eye”).
Piece Improvement: Learning how to identify and “upgrade” a poor piece to a better square.

We club these levels together to focus on the deep, competitive side of junior chess training in Australia.

Positional Play: Understanding long-term advantages like “pawn structures” and “weak squares.”
Deep Game Analysis: Studying historical games to understand how masters think.
Tournament Preparation: Practicing under “tournament conditions” to build confidence for local and national events.

Chess Classes Online Australia Requirements

To begin online chess coaching in Sydney, Melbourne, and other areas is pretty easy. The only thing you’ll need are some basic things and an inexpensive chess board:

Computer or Laptop: A tablet can be used but a desktop with a mouse allows kids to play on the digital board much faster than with the trackpad.
Stable Internet: Important for uninterrupted live video sessions.
Free Account: We generally create a kid’s account on either Lichess or Chess.com for practice.
Zoom Account: This is where we conduct our classroom sessions!
ACF Aspiration: Although not mandatory, the chess coaching rated by ACF in Australia is something we recommend as a goal when our students are advancing.

Don’t postpone till next school term. Register your child immediately and see how he/she will become passionate about the game.

(2026) Australia's Best Online
Chess Coaching Platforms

In making your decision, you can rely on the list of the top not only Chess but also the following providers as reputable ones offering lessons to kids in Australia. Although our first choice is Upstep Academy due to its one-on-one learning style and Anand-signed certificates, these other academies also serve the Aussie chess community:

Rank	Academy	Best Known For	Why They are Respected
1	Upstep Academy	Personalized Mentorship	1:4 small batches, FIDE Coaches, and Vishy Anand-signed certificates.
2	Chess Kids	School Programs	A massive name in AU schools; great for inter-school competitions.
3	Sydney Academy of Chess	Local Presence	It has physical academies with an online wing.
4	Chess School SA	Coaching in Adelaide	Excellent resources for South Australian junior chess training.
5	Dark Horse Chess	Creative Coaching	A smaller, boutique academy with a very high energy for beginners.
6	Total Chess	Comprehensive Courses	Offers a wide range of PDF resources and structured online video lessons.
7	Gardiner Chess	Queensland Presence	Huge in the Brisbane and Gold Coast region; great for regional tournament prep.
8	Chess World	Melbourne Heritage	Based in Melbourne, they offer a mix of high-quality gear and online lessons.
9	Northern Star Chess	Educational Focus	They focus heavily on the cognitive benefits of chess for primary students.
10	Premier Chess Academy	Global Reach	A large international platform with a structured Australian division.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is chess better for kids than other extracurriculars?

Chess is special as it is a combination of sport and logic. The activity has a few options that increase school performance in Math and Reading and teach patience and discipline at the same time.

How much does chess coaching in Australia cost?

Usually, good quality chess teachers in Australia, online, charge about AUD $60 to $180 for one month. Depending on the number of students in the class and the experience of the coach, this can be lower or higher. At Upstep, we have reasonably priced online chess coaching where world-class FIDE mentors are available for a competitive price.

What is the ACF, and do I need it?

The Australian Chess Federation (ACF) is the authority that controls chess in the country. If your kid wants to take part in official chess competitions, they will eventually need an ACF rating. We help students to be ready for this!

Can my child learn chess if they’ve never played before?

Of course! We conduct online chess classes for beginners that start from scratch. We ensure that the first few lessons are enjoyable and contain a lot of small victories.

How long are the sessions?

We have 45-minute classes. We consider this to be the “Goldilocks zone” for children—long enough to understand a new idea, but short enough that they don’t get distracted.

Do you offer school holiday chess programs in Australia online?

Definitely! We usually hold intensive boot camps during school holidays. These are good ways to make a child’s progress in a few weeks.

Who are the coaches at Upstep?

We hire only coaches with fide ratings and experienced players who have tournament experience and have the ability to transfer their knowledge to children.

Is it difficult to learn through a screen?

No, not at all. On the contrary, for most kids, the digital boards are easier because the teachers use highlighting of squares, drawing of arrows, and making of texts to engage the kids, making the classes animated.

Is it possible for my child to go from group to 1-on-1 sessions?

Definitely. Although the most common option is our 1:4 groups, we still have the 1-on-1 sessions available for the parents who prefer a personalized junior chess training experience in Australia.

What is the procedure to start?

Just schedule a free demonstration! It is the most suitable option for your child to be acquainted with a tutor and for you to witness how our chess academy online works in Australia.

Conclusion: Give Your Child the Strategic Edge

Chess is a great rewarding activity. The skills like patience, calculation, and resilience that your child learns will be with them long after the class. No matter if they aspire to be a Grandmaster or just want to win against their friends at school, Upstep Academy is the best online chess academy in Australia for their journey.

We are glad to offer a global standard of chess coaching online to every part of Australia. From Vishy Anand’s inspired curriculum to our small, supportive batches, we are committed to your child’s success.

Do you want to see them take their first move?