Learn Chess Online: A Step-by-Step Path for Beginners, Kids and Adults

You can learn chess online, and many people do. The best way depends on your age, your goals and how you like to learn. Here is a simple path, from your first move to your first tournament, and how live coaching helps along the way.

Step 1: learn the rules

Start with how each piece moves, how to capture, and how a game ends. Our guide How to play chess: the beginner's guide to the rules covers it, along with castling, en passant and promotion.

Step 2: learn the basic ideas

Next come opening principles, simple checkmates and avoiding common mistakes. Useful reads: the first 10 moves, Scholar's Mate and fast checkmates and common beginner mistakes.

Step 3: tactics and practice

Most games are decided by tactics. Learn forks, pins and skewers (tactics guide) and practise with puzzles (how to practise puzzles).

Step 4: strategy, endgames and tournaments

When the basics feel comfortable, strategy and endgames make the biggest difference, and playing in tournaments turns knowledge into experience. See first tournament tips.

Free resources or live coaching?

Free apps and videos are a great way to start. Live coaching adds what they cannot: a coach who notices your habits, answers your questions and builds a plan around you. Compare the options in chess learning options compared.

For kids and for adults

We teach children from age 3 in small groups of 6–7 students, and adults are very welcome. Adult beginner? Start with the adult beginner's guide. Classes are live, in English, with FIDE-rated coaches.

Frequently asked questions

Can I learn chess online from scratch?

Yes. Beginners can start with the rules and basic ideas, then move on to tactics and strategy, with a coach guiding each step.

Is learning chess online as good as in person?

For many students it is just as effective, with the added convenience of learning from home and a wider choice of coaches.

Can adults join your classes?

Yes. We teach kids from age 3 and adults are very welcome.

How do I start?

Book a free demo class. A coach will see your level and recommend where to begin.

Explore more

• Chess classes for kids
• Online chess coaching for kids
• Chess tutor online
• Chess lessons for kids
• How to choose the best online chess classes
• Meet our coaches
• Pricing and plans
• The Parent Portal
• All chess articles