Starting chess
What is the best age to start chess lessons?
There is no single perfect age to start chess. Use these practical readiness signs to decide whether your child is ready for lessons and what format will suit them.
Read the guideFor parents
Practical chess guides without the hype
Clear answers to the questions that usually come before a parent books a chess class: when to start, how much to practise, how to choose a coach, and what to expect from tournaments.
Choosing a class format
Group or private chess lessons: which is better for your child?
Compare small-group and 1:1 chess lessons by pace, cost, confidence, social learning and tournament goals so you can choose the right format for your child.
Read the guideUK junior chess
Taking your child to their first chess tournament in the UK
A practical UK parent checklist for a child's first chess tournament: choosing an event, reading the entry details, clocks, ratings, food, notation and what to do between rounds.
Read the guidePractice routine
How often should a child practise chess?
A realistic chess practice routine for children that fits around school: how to balance lessons, puzzles, slow games and game review without turning chess into homework overload.
Read the guideChoosing a coach
How to choose a chess coach for your child
A practical checklist for choosing a children's chess coach: teaching clarity, level assessment, game review, safeguarding, parent communication and warning signs to avoid.
Read the guideCommon chess problem
Why does my child keep blundering pieces in chess?
If your child keeps losing pieces in chess, the answer is usually not more opening theory. Use a simple thinking routine to slow down threats, checks, captures and final blunder checks.
Read the guideNeed the curriculum rather than an article?
Knightly's five-stage curriculum shows what children learn from complete beginner through tournament preparation, including outcomes and practice work for every stage.
See the five stages