How to choose chess classes
for your child in Ahmedabad

By FIDE Trainer Hemal Thanki · Apex Chess Academy, Vejalpur · South Bopal · Online

Your child has started beating you at chess, or their school has a chess club, and now you're wondering whether proper chess classes are worth it, and how to pick the right ones. Ahmedabad has many options, from neighbourhood coaches to academies and online programmes. This guide answers the questions parents ask us most often, so you can choose with confidence.

What is the right age to start chess?

There is no single "correct" age. Some of the greatest players started very young (Capablanca at 4, Euwe at 5) and others started later (Kasparov at 10, Lasker at 12) and still became legends. What matters more than age is readiness:

• Can your child sit with one activity for 20–30 minutes?
• Do they enjoy puzzles, patterns or "what happens if…" games?
• Do they want to play again after losing?

If the answer is yes, they are ready for a beginner class. At Apex we teach children from around 7 years upwards, all the way to U-19 players, and adults too.

Young starters can go far. Apex students have stood on the podium in the youngest age groups: Aashvi Singh won the Gujarat State Chess Championship (U-7 Girls, 2022), Dhanasvi Thanki won the Ahmedabad District Chess Championship (U-7 Girls, 2024), Devansh Patel took 2nd in the U-7 Boys team blitz at the 18th Asian School Chess Championship (2025), and Kiyana Parihar won the Asian Youth Chess Championship (U-8 Girls, 2023).

Can complete beginners join?

Absolutely. A good academy has a clear path from the very first moves. At our South Bopal branch, for example, classes are organised in levels: Level 1–3 covers rules, tactics, basic checkmates and first tournaments; Level 4–5 moves on to opening repertoire, calculation and endgame technique; Level 6–7 is for rated and title-track players. Your child should always know which level they are in and what comes next.

How to choose a chess coach for your child

This is the most important decision, and certificates alone don't tell the full story. A good coach:

1. Encourages independent thinking. Your child should learn to find moves on their own, not just copy the coach.
2. Keeps learning. Chess theory and training tools change; good coaches upgrade their own skills.
3. Understands children. A 6-year-old and a 14-year-old need very different handling, especially after a loss.
4. Gives proper study material. Look for analysed games, puzzles and exercises your child can practise at home.
5. Thinks long term. Be careful of anyone who promises quick rating jumps. Steady growth beats short-term results.

It also helps to check the coach's own chess background. Apex is led by FIDE Trainer Hemal Thanki (FIDE rating 2182), a five-time Senior State Chess Champion of Gujarat who represented India at the World Amateur Chess Championship in Italy (2018). He has coached for over 23 years, including more than five years with visually impaired players who went on to become national champions.

Questions to ask any academy before you join

• Who will actually teach my child, and what is their rating or certification?
• How many children are in a batch?
• Is there homework or practice material between classes?
• How do you track progress, and how will I know if my child is improving?
• Can my child attend a demo class first?

Online or offline chess classes?

Both work well; the right choice depends on your child and your routine.

Offline (in person) suits younger children who focus better with a coach in the room, and gives them the experience of playing over a real board, just like in a tournament hall.

Online saves travel time across Ahmedabad's traffic, makes it easier to fit classes around school and tuition, and lets your child train with strong coaches wherever they live. Good online classes are interactive, not just a video lecture.

At Apex you can choose either: classes in person at our Vejalpur branch (Jaltarang Society, near Jivraj Park) or South Bopal branch (Gala Hub), or live online batches that students join from 15+ countries. See batch timings and fees for chess classes in Vejalpur and chess classes in South Bopal.

What should happen between classes?

One or two classes a week is not enough on its own. Regular practice is what builds pattern recognition and calculation. Every enrolled Apex student gets access to the Apex Members Platform: a new weekly set every Monday with tactical and strategic puzzles, blindfold and MCQ puzzles, playing positions and analysed games, plus an instant scorecard, Stockfish review and a progress report shared with the coach. Ask any academy you're considering what their students do between sessions.

When should my child start playing tournaments?

Tournaments are where children learn to handle pressure, so start once your child knows the basics and enjoys playing full games, usually with local or district events first. As they progress, plan tournaments where the average rating is slightly above your child's. If the goal is to gain around 400 rating points in a year, that typically means about 10 tournaments a year, roughly one a month.

Expect some nerves. There is positive stress that sharpens focus and negative stress that lingers after a loss. A good coach helps children enjoy the pressure and bounce back quickly, and reviewing tournament games afterwards turns every loss into a lesson. (Older players can also send games for a detailed chess game analysis.)

How to tell if the classes are working

After two or three months, you should see a few of these:

• Your child explains why they played a move, not just what they played.
• They solve harder puzzles and spend more time thinking before moving.
• They lose fewer games to simple one-move blunders.
• The coach can show you clear progress: assessments, tournament results or practice scores.

If you see none of this, talk to the coach. A change of batch or level often helps.

A simple checklist for Ahmedabad parents

• The coach has a real playing and coaching record
• There is a clear level-by-level path
• Practice material and homework are included
• Progress is tracked and shared with you
• The location or online timing fits your weekly routine
• You can attend a demo class before paying

Book a free demo class

See batch timings and fees for your nearest branch: chess classes in Vejalpur · chess classes in South Bopal. More questions? Read our chess FAQs for parents and players.

Frequently asked questions