Online chess classes with a FIDE Trainer: how Apex's live batches work

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

Looking for online chess classes in India that feel like a real class, not a recorded video? At Apex Chess Academy most of our group batches run live online. Students join from home, learn from the same coaches who teach at our Ahmedabad branches, and keep training between classes on the Apex Members Platform. This page explains how it works, who it suits and how to try a free demo class first.

Who teaches the online classes?

Our online batches are mentored by Hemal Thanki, Founder and Head Coach of Apex Chess Academy. He is a FIDE Trainer (2024), FIDE Instructor (2018) and FIDE Arbiter (2014), has a FIDE rating of 2182 and more than 23 years as a player and coach. He is a five-time Senior State Champion and represented India at the World Amateur Championship in Italy (2018), where he finished 7th.

He teaches with the Apex coaching team, which includes FIDE Instructors Joy Chauhan and Falgun Purohit and strong player Kartavya Anadkat. Our evening batch is taught by Hemal Thanki, Kartavya Anadkat and Joy Chauhan together.

How do Apex's live online batches work?

Classes are live and interactive: the coach explains, asks questions and students answer and play through positions in the session. Our online classes are designed to match learning in person. Sessions run live on Zoom, and the coach uses a shared demo board so everyone can follow the position.

Each batch focuses on one part of the game, so students study it deeply. The current weekly schedule (full details on the Vejalpur batches page):

Times are India Standard Time (IST).

A few practical points:

• Session length: Batches 1–7 run two hours per session; Batch-9 runs one hour each weekday evening.
• Batch size: online group batches are small, with up to 8 students.
• Opening batches come with PGN files, so students can revise the lines after class.
• Missed a class? Middle game and endgame batches can carry a session forward for a genuine absence. Opening batches cannot.

What happens between classes: the Apex Members Platform

A class once or twice a week is not enough on its own. Every enrolled student gets access to the Apex Members Platform, which gives a fresh training plan every week, Monday to Sunday:

• 10 puzzles from games of strong players
• 10 puzzles from subscribers' own games
• 10 multiple-choice (MCQ) puzzles
• 10 blindfold puzzles
• 4 playing positions to play out
• 4 analysed games, from both White's and Black's side

Students get an instant scorecard and the time taken on each puzzle, can review positions with Stockfish, and can play inside the platform. Progress reports are shared with the coach, so the coach can see where a student is strong and where they struggle, and use that in class.

One-to-one online coaching

Some students prefer a personal plan. One-to-one sessions are also available online. They include personal opening files and game analysis built around the student's own games. If you only need feedback on your tournament games, our coach also offers chess game analysis: send a PGN, a scoresheet photo or a game link, and get it annotated move by move.

Who are online chess classes right for?

Online classes work well when:

• You live far from our branches, or anywhere outside Ahmedabad. Online training is open to students from anywhere.
• Your child's day is already full with school and tuition, and travel time across the city is hard to fit in.
• You want a strong coach, not just the nearest one. Online, location stops mattering.
• The student is building an opening repertoire or working on middle games and endgames for tournaments, which is exactly what the topic batches cover.

Beginners are welcome at Apex: our structured curriculum takes new players through the fundamentals step by step. Beginners can join online batches from age 7, the same minimum age as our in-person classes.

Online or offline: which should you choose?

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

• Offline classes suit younger children who focus better with a coach in the room, and give the feel of playing over a real board. Apex has in-person classes at our Vejalpur and South Bopal branches in Ahmedabad.
• Online classes save travel time, fit around school and let students train with the same coaches from home.

Many families start with a demo class in one format and switch later. For more on choosing classes for a young child, read our parent's guide to chess classes in Ahmedabad.

How to book a free online demo class

1. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 88668 88640 and say you want an online demo class.
2. Join one live session with the coach. You can attend at Vejalpur, South Bopal or online.
3. Get a recommendation: the coach tells you which level or batch fits, or whether one-to-one sessions would be better.

There is no commitment to join after the demo.

Frequently asked questions