Online Chess Classes for Kids - Fall/Winter 2026/27 Skip to main content
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230 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
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1435 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128

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Chess Max Academy

Online Chess Classes for Kids – Fall/Winter 2026/27

Fall/Winter 2026/27 · September 8, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Live Zoom instruction for kids, from beginners through advanced players.

Choose a group, find a class time, then register directly through the schedule.

Illustration of an online chess lesson

Live online chess classes for kids

Online chess classes for kids that meet your child where they are

Chess Max Academy’s Fall/Winter online chess classes for kids meet live on Zoom. Families can choose from six level-based groups, find a class time, and register directly from the schedule below.

Not sure where to begin? Book a free level evaluation to help place your child in the right online group before enrolling.

Find the right starting point

One clear path, six level-based groups

Programme details, prices and exact registration links stay with each schedule card so families can choose an available class without leaving the page.

  1. Juniors
  2. Jumpstarters
  3. Challengers
  4. Stars
  5. Champions
  6. Masters

Schedule and group selection

Choose an online class.

Choose the group that fits your child, then select a day and time. Each Register button opens that exact online class.

Dates: September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027 Trial fees: $40 for 60 minutes · $60 for 90 minutes

Online live on Zoom

Online · six level-based groups

Live instruction from wherever your family is

Juniors

Starting point for young beginners

$700semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 5–6
Level
Beginner
Duration
60 minutes
Trial
$40
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Jumpstarters

Unrated – USCF rating 500

$700semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 6–9
Level
Unrated – 500
Duration
60 minutes
Trial
$40
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Challengers

USCF rating 500–1000

$700semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 7–12
Level
Rating 500–1000
Duration
60 minutes
Trial
$40
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Stars

USCF rating 1000–1400

$1,100semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 8–15
Level
Rating 1000–1400
Duration
90 minutes
Trial
$60
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Champions

USCF rating 1400–1700

$1,100semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 9–15
Level
Rating 1400–1700
Duration
90 minutes
Trial
$60
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Masters

USCF rating 1700+

$1,100semester tuition
Age guidance
Ages 10–16
Level
Rating 1700+
Duration
90 minutes
Trial
$60
Dates
September 8, 2026–January 31, 2027

Fall/Winter online bonus

A clear bonus by programme group

$350 bonus
Juniors, Jumpstarters and Challengers

$500 bonus
Stars, Champions and Masters

What happens in class

Structured live learning from home

Live Zoom instruction
Join a real online class from wherever your family is.

Master Coaches
Classes are taught by Master Coaches trained by Grandmaster Maxim Dlugy.

Progress between classes
Enrolled students receive access to the Chess Max Academy App.

Next step

Ready to choose a class?

Explore the live Fall/Winter class times, choose the group that fits, and enroll online — or book a free level evaluation first.

JUNIORS

JUNIORS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $700/Semester

- Trial class: $40

RECOMMENDED AGE: 5-6 YEARS OLD

This is a class recommended for kids that are from 5-6 years old, have learned how the pieces move and are ready to take the next step in learning some basic strategies to prepare them for the Jump starters Class. Children will learn all rules of chess including castling, pawn promotion and understanding the ideas of checkmate and stalemate.

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS

JUMPSTARTERS

UNRATED – USCF RATING 500
JUMPSTARTERS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $700/Semester

- Trial class: $40

RECOMMENDED AGE: 6-9 YEARS OLD

This is a class where future chess champions will be discovered! Kids get to learn the basics of chess through special games and stories that will help them make learning fun. After graduating the students will know all the rules and basic chess strategies and tactics.

  • Basic mates tactical tools
  • Pawn endings
  • Board vision and many more topics will be taught.

CHALLENGERS

USCF RATING 500-1000
CHALLENGERS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $700/Semester

- Trial class: $40

RECOMMENDED AGE: 7-12 YEARS OLD

This is a class where kids will be prepared for tournament practice enabling them to feel comfortable with different time controls as well as notation. Basic opening concepts, tactical themes including must-to-know mating patterns, important king and pawn endings and thinking methods will be explained.

STARS

USCF RATING 1000-1400
STARS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $1,100/Semester

- Trial class: $60

RECOMMENDED AGE: 8-15 YEARS OLD

This is a class for kids that regularly compete in tournaments and are interested in learning new tactical and strategic tools to improve their play. Endings, approach to learning new openings and important strategic ideas such as improving pawns structure, open lines, key squares as well as the basics of prophylactic thinking and maneuvering are studied.

CHAMPIONS

USCF RATING 1400-1700
CHAMPIONS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $1,100/Semester

- Trial class: $60

RECOMMENDED AGE: 9-15 YEARS OLD

This is a class for players in the top 100 of their age group in the country. The focus will be on improving the thought process by teaching students middle game thinking strategies, such as prophylactics, maneuvering, elimination methodology, correct exchanges and defensive tools. Important endings will also be covered. The class is conducted as a challenge for players to try to solve related problems while competing with their peers. This method proved extremely effective in the Botvinnik Chess School in Russia.

MASTERS

USCF RATING 1700+
MASTERS SCHEDULE
PRICING
Online: $1,100/Semester

- Trial class: $60

RECOMMENDED AGE: 10-16 YEARS OLD

This is a class for players in the top 50 of their age group in the country.

The focus will be on tools for self-improvement, study dynamics, correct thought processes, opening preparation, understanding own mistakes and critical thinking. Students will be offered exercises to improve their strategic and tactical skills and will be competing against each other in various skill related activities for motivation. Blitz play, special games that improve defensive and attacking skills as well as special frequent practice against the Grandmaster instructor will be offered.

Difficult homework assignments are to be expected.

Testimonials
about our chess classes
Eugene Galbmillion

Love this chess school. Facilities are great, teachers are very professional. Online classes are very helpful as well. They often hold chess championships and competitions.

Very recommended to everyone who wants their children to learn and advance in chess.

Antti Rajala

While visiting New York City from Finland. I took one lesson from GM Dlugy. My goal is to become National Master in Chess in the coming 10 years. Mr. Dlugy gave me excellent advice regarding opening choices. An important take away from the lesson was also a list of things to consider when making a move. The list encouraged me to move from a 10-minute game to a longer 30-minutes game which requires more thinking and it helps me to assemble different aspect of what I have learned about chess into a concrete plan of what move to make in a specific situation arising in the game. I put the tool to test and already can see that the accuracy of my play was greatly improved.

Pete Francis

Chess Max Academy is first rate. Coach Surfi has taken my game to a higher level. He makes studying chess fun and exciting. I look forward to my lessons each week.

Justin Kulla

Chess Max has been a terrific experience. Our son grew so much over the past year. He gained, skills, confidence and friendships. While he was the youngest in his class, Chess Max created a supportive environment. With the teacher’s support and encouragement, he competed in tournaments, some of which were at the school and had a terrific time playing against other students across the city. We appreciated the rigor of classes and assignments. Highly recommended for kids who are interested to really improve in chess.

Fu Chen
Chess Max Academy NYC

My two sons (11 and 7) have been attending Chess Max Academy’s online classes for about a year now and they have really benefited from the lessons and homework. Their game has improved and more importantly the classes are fun and the kids they met have helped them remain interested in chess. It is a great program and I recommend it to everyone.

Rohit Bansal
Chess Max Academy NYC

Chess Max Academy has been an incredible experience for my son and my family. My son is 8 yrs old and has been attending for close to a year. He is taking group lessons on Saturdays and 1-on-1 lessons on Sundays. Max and his team are extremely caring and focused on the student’s growth in both chess and life skills. I have seen tremendous growth in my son’s chess skills and his confidence in applying new strategies. The staff are incredibly talented and passionate when it comes to teaching chess. Mr. Surfi, in particular, has done an incredible job of helping my son make leaps and bounds in his chess playing ability. He employed incredible patience and care to see that my son made it through his self-doubt and frustrations. We had such an enjoyable experience that we are most likely going to sign our 5yr old son up to the same curriculum. I could not be more emphatic in my recommendation for Chess Max. It is a great experience for the parents, and especially for the children. It doesn’t matter what your level is when you start, you will see real improvement. Just Amazing. 5 Starts.

Jenny Villar
Chess Max Academy NYC

Chess is part of our daily lives thanks to Chess Max Academy. My 6 YO son started with them at 5 1/2, and they have led him in every step.

Sarfaraz Ahmed
Chess Max Academy of Greenwich

At Chess Max Academy the syllabus and training are designed in a step by step process carefully understanding the individual needs with the expert knowledge and supervision of Grand Master Maxim Dlugy. His years of experience embedded in the training procedures and developing a curriculum ensures the development and the learning curve of chess.