Frequently asked questions

We welcome children from age 5. Our tutors are experienced in introducing chess to beginners in an engaging, age-appropriate way. No prior knowledge is needed. If your child is younger and can stay focused for 30 minutes, we can give it a try and see if it works for you!

Yes - this age works particularly well with 1-to-1 online lessons. The tutor adapts entirely to the child's pace and attention span, and 30-minute sessions keep things focused and enjoyable. Many parents are surprised how quickly young children settle in.

Absolutely. Most of our students start from zero. Our tutors are skilled at working with beginners and they start from the very basics - how each piece moves, simple rules - and build from there at whatever pace suits the child.

Yes. We work with children at every level, from complete beginners to those preparing for competitive tournaments. After the trial lesson, the tutor will assess your child's current level and tailor every session accordingly.

Chess can be especially beneficial for children with ADHD and autism - it offers structure, clear rules, and focused 1-to-1 attention without classroom distractions. Several of our tutors have specific experience working with children with special needs. Please mention your child's needs when booking and we'll match you with the most suitable tutor.

Yes, all Chessed.me lessons are fully online and live. Your child connects with their tutor via video call and they play on a shared digital chess board together in real time.

Every lesson is with a real, human chess tutor - live, via video call. We do not use AI to teach. Each tutor is individually selected for their chess ability and their experience working with children.

All Chessed.me lessons are 1-to-1. Your child has the tutor's full attention for the entire session. We don't run group classes.

Lessons take place live via Zoom video call between your child and their dedicated tutor. They play and analyse positions together on an online chess platform. Sessions are 30, 45, or 60 minutes, scheduled at a regular time each week.

No physical board is needed. All chess is played on a digital board during the lesson. Your child just needs a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

No, we strongly recommend connecting from a laptop, PC, or tablet as it gives a better experience, and Zoom has all features available.

We run in 4-week cycles, so the minimum commitment is 4 lessons. Most families continue well beyond that - progress in chess is gradual, and children tend to enjoy lessons more as they improve.

For most children, two lessons per week delivers the best results - enough repetition to build habits, with time to absorb what was covered between sessions. Lesson duration depends on your child's age and attention span: younger children typically do best with 30 minutes, while older or more experienced students can sustain 45 or 60 minutes comfortably.

Every tutor is individually screened for chess ability, experience teaching children, and long-term commitment. They are all professional chess players, have FIDE ranking, and most of them hold chess titles, e.g. Candidate Master, FIDE Master. We don't just hire strong chess players - we look for people who genuinely enjoy working with children. Most of our tutors are based across Europe, with others from further afield. All are fluent in English and available during UK family hours - evenings on weekdays and throughout weekends.

Most of our tutors are based across Europe, with a few joining from further afield. All are fluent in English and available during UK hours. We don't limit ourselves by geography - our priority is finding the best teachers for children.

Chessed.me is based in London. Since our lessons are fully online, we serve families across the entire UK. Most of our tutors are based across Europe, with others from further afield - all working in the UK timezone.

Yes. If your child is interested in competitive chess, we can tailor lessons toward tournament preparation - openings, tactics, time management, and game analysis. We also run internal tournaments and can suggest local and online tournaments. The tutor will take care of making sure your child is ready.

A trial lesson costs only £5. It's a full session with a real tutor - not a sales call. This allows your child to meet their tutor, experience our approach, and ensure it's the right fit before committing to regular learning. There is no obligation to continue after the trial.

Lesson prices depend on your subscription period, how often your child has lessons, and session length. Please contact us for current rates.

No - we work on a subscription basis only. That said, your lessons don't expire: if a class is cancelled with sufficient notice, credit is automatically applied as a discount for the next payment, or can be used to book a class outside of the regular schedule. The subscription is flexible and you can change or cancel it before the end of the cycle.

Yes. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major debit and credit cards including Visa and Mastercard, processed securely through Stripe.

Reschedule with 12 hours' notice - pick a new time at no charge. Cancel with 12 hours' notice - receive a credit toward your next payment. Emergency same-day change - one per month, no charge. No-show without notice - the session is forfeited and will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Yes. You can cancel at any time before your next payment is due. We send a reminder 7 days before each renewal so you have plenty of time to cancel if needed. There are no cancellation fees.