Free first lesson · one to one

A free online chess lesson for your child, with a real coach

Your child’s first lesson is free and one to one with a FIDE Master or a top-rated coach, live online. The coach plays with your child, sees their level and suggests what to do next.

It suits complete beginners and children who already play, from about age 6. Afterward your child can join weekly lessons in a small group of up to five. If that is not for you, cancel online before the first charge and you pay nothing.

Book a free first lessonMeet the coaches
The lesson

What happens in the free lesson

  • A real coach, live on video. One to one, with a shared board your child can move pieces on. No recordings, no bots.
  • They play together. The coach plays and talks with your child to see how they think. Beginners start from how the pieces move.
  • An honest read on their level. The coach sees where your child stands and suggests the right group. There is no test and no pressure.
  • You can sit in. Parents are welcome to stay and watch the whole lesson.
Booking

How to book it

1 · Choose a time
Enter your child’s age and see the free hours in your own time zone.
2 · Create a parent account
The account belongs to you. It takes about a minute.
3 · Add a card
It holds the place. Nothing is charged for the free lesson.
4 · Join from home
On a computer or tablet, at the time you picked.
Afterward

What happens after the free lesson

If your child enjoyed it, they carry on with one live group lesson a week: up to five children of the same age and level, with puzzle homework between lessons and a dashboard for you. It costs $79 a month in the US and C$99 in Canada, and the price in your currency is shown before you add a card.

If it is not for you, cancel online before the first charge and you pay nothing. There is no phone call and no sales conversation.

The coaches

Who teaches it

A FIDE Master or a top-rated coach teaches the first lesson. Every coach is background-checked and trained in child online safety, and you can meet them on our coaches page before you book.

Good questions

Frequently asked

Is the first lesson really free?

Yes. The first lesson costs nothing. After it, weekly group lessons continue at the regular monthly price; cancel online before the first charge and you pay nothing.

Why do you need a card?

It holds your place and starts the weekly lessons after the free one, unless you cancel first. Nothing is charged for the free lesson. Stripe handles the card, so we never see the number.

How long is the free lesson?

About 50 minutes, the same as a regular lesson.

Does my child need to know how to play?

No. Complete beginners are welcome: the coach starts from how the pieces move.

What age is it for?

Most children are ready at about six, when they can concentrate for half an hour. We teach children from about 6 to 15.

What do we need?

A computer or tablet with a camera and a microphone, and a quiet place. The chess board is on the screen.

Can each child have a free lesson?

Yes, one free first lesson per child.

Is the lesson in English?

Yes. Families who prefer Ukrainian can have the lesson in Ukrainian.

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Book your child’s free first lesson

One to one with a real coach, live online. Cancel online before the first charge and you pay nothing.

Book a free first lesson