FALL 2026 GROUPS FORMING
Fall 2026 Online Small-Group Chess Program
Stronger decisions. Fewer blunders. Better chess.
Six live online small-group chess lessons for students aged 6–14. Students are matched with a suitable group based on age, level, and weekly availability.
Multiple Group Times
Maximum 6 Students Per Group
Groups Start from Mid-September
C$149 CAD
Is This Program Right for Your Child?
This small-group program is designed for young players who already understand the rules and are ready to improve their practical decision-making, tactical awareness, and consistency.
Ages 6 - 14
Designed for school-age students who can participate independently in an online group lesson.
Knows the Chess Rules
Students should understand how every piece moves, along with check, checkmate, castling, and pawn promotion.
Typically 300 - 1000 Rapid
Suitable for students within this general Chess.com rapid range. Unrated students may also apply.
Can Complete a Full Game
Students should be able to play independently without continuous assistance from a parent or coach.
Not sure whether your child is the right fit? Submit the Initial Check and we’ll review the student’s age, level, and availability before recommending a suitable group. No payment is required to apply.
What Students Will Work On
Each lesson develops practical skills that students can apply directly in their games.
Reduce Avoidable Blunders
Learn to check threats, identify unprotected pieces, and pause before making impulsive moves.
Calculate More Carefully
Build a clearer process for comparing candidate moves and calculating short variations before deciding.
Spot Tactical Opportunities
Practice spotting checks, captures, threats, forks, pins, and other common tactical patterns.
Make Stronger Decisions
Learn to respond to the opponent’s ideas, choose purposeful moves, and play with greater consistency.
The program focuses on practical game improvement rather than memorizing long opening variations.
How the Small-Group Lessons Work
Each 60-minute lesson combines clear instruction, guided thinking, and active student participation.
Focused Lesson Theme
Each class centres on one practical skill, such as reducing blunders, spotting tactics, or calculating accurately.
Active Participation
Students answer questions, compare ideas, and receive feedback throughout the lesson rather than only watching.
Guided Chess Positions
Students work through carefully selected positions and explain what they notice, calculate, and choose.
Practical Application
Students apply the lesson concept through game situations, challenges, and structured decision-making exercises.
Students are grouped with players of reasonably similar age and level whenever possible. With no more than six students per group, each child has opportunities to participate and receive direct feedback.
What’s Included
The C$149 program fee covers the complete six-lesson small-group program.
6 Live Lessons
Six instructor-led online chess lessons, each lasting 60 minutes.
Interactive Training
Guided positions, practical challenges, and structured thinking exercises during each class.
Small-Group Coaching
A maximum of six students for focused instruction and active participation.
In-Class Feedback
Students receive corrections and direct feedback as they explain their ideas and solve positions.
Personalized Practice Plans and an individual Progress Summary are available through the optional support add-on.
Add Personalized Support
Families who want structured practice between lessons and individual progress feedback can add personalized support to the group program.
Personalized Support Add-On : C$49 CAD
6 Personalized Practice Plans
One individualized Practice Plan after each lesson, based on the student’s level and training needs.
1 Individual Progress Summary
A concise report after the final lesson covering strengths, areas requiring further work, and recommended next steps.
Group Program + Personalized Support: C$198 CAD
The add-on is optional and can be selected once the student’s group placement is confirmed.
Real Student Progress
See how young students improve through structured lessons, tournament preparation, game review, and clearer thinking habits.
Andrew reached a highest rapid rating of 2161 as a U15 student.
Benjamin increased by 362 rapid rating points in 30 days, reaching 622.
Liam finished 1st in KG to Grade 3 at the 2026 Ontario School Chess Team Championship.
Meet Your Coach
Train with Aniket Kathpal, an Arena International Master and National Arbiter in Canada, with 8+ years of experience coaching children, teens, adults, beginners, and improving players.
Aniket leads each lesson personally and helps students improve through clear explanations, guided chess positions, tactical training, and structured decision-making. The small-group format allows students to learn from both the coach’s feedback and the ideas shared by other players.
🔑 Credentials
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🏅 Arena International Master (AIM)
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⚖️ National Arbiter (Canada)
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⏳ 8+ Years Coaching Experience
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👥 Coached 1,000+ Students Worldwide
How Enrolment Works
Start with a short Initial Check. We review the student’s age, level, and availability, then recommend the closest suitable group before any payment is required.
Submit the Initial Check
Share the student’s age, chess experience, Chess.com or Lichess account, goals, and all weekly times that could work.
We Match the Student
We review the student’s level and availability and match them with the closest suitable group. A short placement check may be requested if needed.
Confirm the Group
Once a suitable group, weekly time, and start date are confirmed, we send the registration and payment details. The offered place is held for 72 hours.
Common Questions
Quick answers for parents before applying for the Fall 2026 group chess program.
Q: Is a full chess assessment required before joining?
A: No. Parents first submit the Initial Check. A short placement check may be requested only if the student’s level or suitability for a group is unclear.