Your Child's First Chess Class: What Actually Happens
Booking a trial class is easy. Knowing what should happen inside it — and what the coach is quietly checking — makes you a much better judge of whether to continue.
The first ten minutes: settling and sizing up
A good coach starts with names and a quick game-like question — "which piece do you think is strongest?" — while quietly assessing: does this child know the moves? Can they sit still? Do they answer or freeze? In a live online class the coach does this on the shared board, watching how the child interacts with it.
The middle: play disguised as teaching
Beginners get piece-movement mini-games (pawn races are the classic). Children who already play get 2–3 puzzle positions of increasing difficulty — the fastest honest way to find a child's true level, which decides their batch. What you should not see: a 40-minute lecture at a silent child.
The last ten minutes: the child plays
Every good first class ends with the child actually playing — a mini-game or a short real game. Children decide whether they like chess in these minutes. At Chessido, this is also where a trial student earns their first Chessido Rating, and parents receive a free Chess Report Card after the class — their level, strengths and what to work on next.
Preparing a nervous child
- Frame it as "trying a game", not "joining a class".
- Sit nearby for the first session — trivially easy when the class is online at home.
- Afterwards, ask "what was fun?" before "what did you learn?"
Unsure whether they're ready at all? See the right age to start chess. Comparing programmes first? Start with the 9 questions to ask any academy.
The first class is free — and it ends with a report card
One live class, a first rating, and a free Chess Report Card for you. No payment details, no pressure — just 45 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What happens in a child's first chess class?
A good first class assesses gently while playing: the coach checks what the child already knows, introduces or refreshes how pieces move through mini-games, gets them solving a few simple positions, and ends with the child playing — so they leave having actually played chess, not just heard about it.
Does my child need to know chess before the first class?
No. First classes are designed for complete beginners. If your child already plays, the coach uses the first session to gauge their level and place them in the right batch.
Should parents sit in on the first chess class?
For young children (5–8), yes if you can — you'll see the teaching style and your child settles faster. In a live online class this is easy: you're in the same room. After the first few sessions, most children do better with a little independence.