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Chess for Kids in Sydney: Clubs, Classes, Tournaments and Online Options

Writer: Trainstein Chess
Trainstein Chess
Oct 4
5 min read

Last updated: October 2026

Children in Sydney can learn chess through five main routes: a school chess program, a community or junior club, a small-group class at an academy, private coaching, or online lessons and play. Tournaments sit alongside all five, and most junior events in NSW run within the NSW Junior Chess League (NSWJCL) system.

What are the main ways for a child to learn chess in Sydney?

There is no single path. Many children start with one route and add another as their interest grows.

Route

What it usually looks like

Often a good fit when

Worth checking

School chess program

Lunchtime or after-school sessions on the school grounds; some schools also enter inter-school competitions

Your child wants to try chess with friends, with no travel

Who runs it, and whether there is teaching or mostly free play

Community or junior club

Regular meetings at a hall, library or club room, mostly for playing games

Your child already knows the rules and wants more opponents

Meeting times, and whether juniors are welcome at that session

Academy or small-group class

A weekly lesson, grouped by level, usually paid by the term

Your child wants steady, structured improvement

Group size, how levels are set, what the fee covers

Private coaching

One coach and one child, in person or online

There is a specific goal, such as tournament preparation

The coach's experience with children, and cost per hour

Online lessons and play

Live classes on video call, plus practice on chess sites

Travel is hard, or your child needs extra games between lessons

Screen time, chat settings, and whether anyone reviews the games

For a closer look at the trade-offs between these routes, see school club vs academy vs private coaching, chess tutor vs chess class and our guide to online chess classes for kids.

Where do junior chess tournaments in Sydney come from?

Most junior tournaments in NSW are connected to the NSW Junior Chess League, a body for players under 18. Its online calendar lists the year's events, and results feed into a junior rating system.

The NSWJCL's 2026 calendar includes one-day and two-day tournaments, the NSW Junior Championship, the NSW Girls Championships, and the Primary Schools and Secondary Schools Competitions. The League also runs one-day coaching clinics in the autumn, winter and spring school holidays for new and relatively inexperienced players.

A few points parents often find useful:

  • Membership. NSWJCL membership is for players under 18. The League says participants in most of its holiday tournaments and coaching clinics must be members, but players in the inter-schools competitions do not need to be.

  • Schools competitions. The Primary Schools Competition and the Secondary Schools Competitions are entered through your child's school, so ask the school whether it takes part.

  • Ratings. NSWJCL ratings cover NSW junior tournaments and are published at chessratings.com.au. ACF and FIDE ratings are separate systems for adult and international events. Our ratings explainer covers all three.

  • Local rated events. Some clubs and academies around Sydney also run NSWJCL-rated junior tournaments, which can be a gentler first step than a large championship.

If your child is preparing for a first event, read how junior chess tournaments work and our first tournament checklist.

How do I find a chess club near me in Sydney?

Start with the two official directories. Both list clubs by location, with meeting details and a contact person.

  1. NSWJCL clubs page. The League keeps "a list of clubs, either especially for juniors or where juniors are welcome", arranged by region and suburb across NSW.

  2. NSW Chess Association clubs page. The state's governing chess body lists clubs in two sections, in Sydney and outside Sydney, with each club's meeting day, time and venue.

  3. Your child's school. Ask whether the school has a chess program and whether it enters the NSWJCL schools competitions.

Before you go, contact the club to check that the session suits your child's age and level, as some sessions are in the evening or mainly for adults.

What should I ask before choosing a club, class or coach?

Ask the same questions of every option, so you can compare them fairly.

  1. Who will teach or supervise my child? Ask about experience with children, not just playing strength, and how sessions are supervised.

  2. Is there teaching, playing, or both? A club is mostly games; a class should include a lesson and supervised play.

  3. How are children grouped? By age, by level, or all together?

  4. Are games rated? If tournaments matter to your family, ask whether events are NSWJCL-rated.

  5. What happens in the school holidays? Some programs pause; others run camps or events.

  6. What does it cost, and what is included? Compare term fees, entry fees and any extras.

  7. Can we try it first? A trial session shows more than any brochure.

For typical prices, see our chess lesson cost guide.

Where can kids learn chess in Chatswood and the North Shore?

Trainstein Chess College has taught chess in Chatswood since 2021, at Level 1, 308 Victoria Avenue, near Chatswood Chase. It offers several of the routes above:

  • Small-group classes for ages 4.5 to 17 across six levels, with 4–8 students per in-person class and 10 lessons per term. See all classes.

  • Online classes in small groups on Zoom, using both ChessKid and Chess.com (beginners mostly ChessKid, stronger students mostly Chess.com). Online classes.

  • Private 1-on-1 coaching online. Private coaching.

  • NSWJCL-rated tournaments in Chatswood on most Sundays during term, 2:30–5:30 pm, with U8, U10, U12, U400, U600 and Team sections at $50 per section. Tournaments.

  • Holiday camps from Monday to Friday in the school holidays. Holiday program.

A trial class costs the same as a single lesson: $50 for a weekend class or $60 for a weekday class in person, and $38–$56 online depending on level. Term 4, 2026 runs from 10 October to 18 December.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to join the NSWJCL to play chess?

Not to take lessons or join a club. NSWJCL membership is required for most of the League's holiday tournaments and coaching clinics, but players in the inter-schools competitions do not need to be members.

Where can I find a list of junior chess clubs in NSW?

The NSWJCL clubs page lists clubs that are especially for juniors or where juniors are welcome, and the NSW Chess Association's clubs page lists clubs in Sydney and outside Sydney.

Is it safe for children to play chess online?

It can be, with sensible settings. The NSWJCL advises parents to be wary because a small minority of users on some sites may send offensive or unsportsmanlike chat, and major sites offer ways to switch chat off.

Where can kids play rated chess tournaments on the North Shore?

Trainstein Chess College runs NSWJCL-rated junior tournaments in Chatswood on most Sundays during school term, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, with U8, U10, U12, U400, U600 and Team sections.

Next step

If you would like help working out which route suits your child, call 0415 228 088, email trainsteinchess@gmail.com or visit our contact page. If you are in Chatswood specifically, our Chatswood parent guide goes into levels, costs and home practice in more detail.

Sources

 
 
 

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