Chess Lessons for Kids: What They Learn, Level by Level
Parents often ask what chess lessons for kids actually involve. Here is what children learn, level by level, how to support them at home and how live online lessons at The Digital Chessboard Academy work.
Beginner: the foundations
- How each piece moves and captures.
- The rules of check, checkmate and stalemate, plus special moves (see castling, en passant and promotion).
- Simple checkmates and how to avoid common mistakes (common beginner mistakes).
- Reading and writing moves (chess notation for kids).
Intermediate: tactics and plans
- Opening principles and a few reliable first moves (first 10 moves).
- Tactics such as forks, pins and skewers (tactics guide).
- Basic endgames (king and pawn endgames).
- How to analyse their own games.
Advanced: competing with confidence
- Deeper calculation and strategy.
- Opening repertoires and middlegame planning.
- Tournament preparation, including time control and handling pressure (time controls explained).
At our academy these stages map to Beginner Explorer, Intermediate Master and Champion Track, with a certificate on each level completed.
How the lessons work
Lessons are live and online, in small groups of 6–7 students, taught by FIDE-rated coaches. Private one-to-one lessons are available too. The Parent Portal shows practice, performance and progress.
Supporting your child at home
- Play a short game together a few times a week.
- Try a few puzzles a day (how to practise puzzles).
- Celebrate effort, and treat a loss as a lesson (helping your child handle losing).
Book a free demo class
Meet a FIDE-rated coach in a live online class, with no obligation and no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
What do kids learn in beginner chess lessons?
The movement of each piece, how to check and checkmate, special moves, simple checkmates and basic ideas for protecting the king.
How long are the lessons?
Our live classes run in one-hour sessions, one or two a week, and the free demo class is 25 minutes.
Does my child need to know chess already?
No. We start from the very beginning and place each child at the right level.
How can I help my child at home?
Play short games, practise a few puzzles regularly and encourage them to enjoy the process, not just the result.
Explore more
- Chess classes for kids
- Online chess coaching for kids
- Learn chess online
- Chess tutor online
- How to choose the best online chess classes
- Meet our coaches
- Pricing and plans
- The Parent Portal
- All chess articles
Try a live online class — free
Small groups, FIDE-rated coaches and a no-obligation demo for your child.