Every successful chess player has made his first move. Whether it was a little boy or a woman playing her first move of the game after years of watching people play it, the first step has been the same. These days, there’s no need to go to the club or have a chess board placed in front of you to start. Online chess classes and courses for kids and adults have made learning chess online an easy process in India, from understanding how to move the pieces to participating in FIDE rated tournaments.
The difficult part is deciding which program fits your needs and this 2026 guide will provide you with all the information about five top academies that you should consider and more.
The Five at a Glance
| Academy | Led by | Class formats | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delighted Champs | ISO 21001:2018-certified academy | Individual and group live lessons, 18 levels | Beginners to advanced players, kids and adults |
| Chess Pathshala | GM Swapnil Dhopade | 1-on-1, group classes, video courses | Rated players who want Grandmaster-led training |
| Kingdom of Chess | Arena GM Chandrajeet Rajawat | Online and offline academies | Students aiming for tournaments |
| Chess Gaja | GM Priyadharshan Kannappan | 1-on-1, group classes, summer camps | Families who want flexible formats |
| Archer Chess Academy | GM MS Thejkumar and FM Joydeep Datta | Live online classes, 1-on-1 and batches | Families who want a short trial first |
1. Delighted Champs: The Journey from First Move to Advanced Game
This is the right one for you. There are 18 levels in this Delighted Champs online chess course, starting from Complete Beginners, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Advance Level 3, each having a duration of 2-4 months approx.
You’ll receive:
- In group or individual format with email support between the lessons
- Individual feedback so students will always know what is coming up next to develop on
- Lessons that suit all ages – with variations such as Chess 960 to inspire children
- Monthly tournaments against skilled opponents: technique versus an opponent of about your skill level – a great way to boost your score game.
- Certificate of completion from ISO 21001:2018 – certified academy.
A perfect match for parents wanting measurable progress indicators and for adults who are starting from the very beginning. Book your free demo or call us at +91 7987764868 to find out more before buying.
Website : www.delightedchamps.com
2. Chess Pathshala: Grandmaster-Led Training
GM Swapnil Dhopade’s chess academy GM Swapnil Dhopade of Nagpur’s chess academy, mentioned Chess Base India – GM Swapnil Dhopade was the first GM of Maharashtra from the Vidarbha region. It provides an option of personal coaching, group classes and video courses so that the players can select the live time they need.
- Private Online Lessons with the Academy Coaches
- 1300 to 2000 FIDE group classes. The published schedule from April 2025 was 16 live monthly Zoom classes on a variety of topics from the Grandmaster and Pathshala coaches, plenty of weekly homework, and recordings for those who studied.
- Online video courses to complement live lessons
Best for: Those seeking help from a GM with a rating. The batch mentioned above is from 2025; read the academy’s website for updates on batch timings.
3. Kingdom of Chess: For the Tournament-Minded
Founded by arena Grandmaster Chandrajeet Rajawat, Kingdom of Chess is a start-up that combines playing strength with teaching skill. According to Chess Base India, it was awarded best startup at TiECON Udaipur 2025 by being selected out of 100 startups across India.
- Online and in-person options, with the emphasis on the online and academies for in-person application training
- FIDE-rated international events (including a 2024 Open and a Below 1800 event)
- A Grandmaster training camp in Udaipur, Rajasthan
Best for: Students who wish to jump straight into rated tournament play and are potentially looking to play in person later.
4. Chess Gaja: Flexible Learning for Every Stage
Chess Gaja by Grandmaster Priyadharshan Kannappan states that it is a premier online academy for all ages and levels. It is an online-first academy; hence, students from across India can take classes.
- 1-on-1 sessions for personal attention
- Learning with others: group classes for the weaker students
- Intensive training sessions at the summer camp
- Book and software recommendations to help you study between classes
Best for: Families seeking to blend group and private formats as their child’s circumstances evolve.
5. Archer Chess Academy: Try Before You Commit
This Mumbai-based, ISO-certified, online academy is led by Grandmaster MS Thejkumar and FIDE Master Joydeep Datta. The programme is from the scratch to the highest levels with FIDE ratings in mind.
- Live classes, individually or in groups, not Pre Recorded Videos
- Pre-registration trial class (25 minutes)
- Interactive exercises & practice games in addition to lessons
Best for: Those who prefer to see a coach demonstrate before paying for a course.
How to Choose Online Chess Coaching
| Academy | Website | Contact and other details |
|---|---|---|
| Delighted Champs | delightedchamps.com | Phone/WhatsApp +91 7987764868, info@delightedchamps.com. Free demo: delightedchamps.com/registration. Office: Unit No. 13, Maruti Tower, Sector 11, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai 400614 |
| Chess Pathshala | chesspathshala.in | WhatsApp +91 98603 94603 (from ChessBase India). Offline academy in Nagpur; updates on its official WhatsApp channel |
| Kingdom of Chess | kingdomofchess.com | Headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Instagram and Facebook: @thekingdomofchess. LinkedIn: kingdom-of-chess |
| Chess Gaja | chessgaja.com | Online-first academy led by GM Priyadharshan Kannappan. Contact form on the website |
| Archer Chess Academy | archerchessacademy.com | Phone +91-7627086196. Address: 5A, Shatrunjay Height Co-Op Housing Society, Near Kailash Mansarovar, Bhayandar West, Mumbai 401101. YouTube: Archer Chess Academy (ACA) |
Compare academies across these five issues, instead of titles:
- Am I getting a free trial or demo? One live class is worth more than any brochure.
- You can see what level the curriculum is delivered at so you can plan for progression. Don’t know what level your curriculum is delivered at?
- Who is truly instructing the class? Inquire if a person coach or a team of trainers will settle for your batch.
- As for the “touch”: Number of videos isn’t even as important as homework review or how many students’ live time.
- Are there tournaments? So what if you get to play someone else? Normal matches against your same skill level will keep your rating and self-esteem up.
FAQs About Chess Training Online
Do we need a chessboard at home?
No. Physical sets are helpful, but online do in their online chalkboard.
Do beginners need any prior experience?
No. Good academies start from how the pieces move. And then they are built up step by step.
Are online chess classes live or recorded?
Depends on the academy. In the case of live lessons, you should be able to ask questions and get immediate answers; therefore, before purchasing, make sure to get familiar with the course organization.
What does chess do for a child?
Chess practice includes planning before you play, thinking before you act, and the addition of sportsmanship in tournaments.
Start With a Free Demo
Playing chess online should no longer be a half-way measure. With the appropriate online academy, it can now become an organised, motivating and exciting process. Regardless of whether you have a penchant for GM training, competition focused instruction, flexible formats or a defined levels-based learning experience, there are five unique academies here that provide distinct experiences in learning chess online. Online chess classes are all about finding an academy that fits your needs in terms of your goal, schedule and preferences. So make sure to utilise their free trials in order to get the best out of your learning experience. For a well-defined path, live training sessions, individual mentoring and monthly competitions, Delighted Champs makes for a wonderful starting point when learning chess online.
