How Much Do Chess Lessons Cost in Sydney?
Last updated: October 2026
Among the Sydney prices we could confirm publicly, weekly in-person group chess classes for children cost roughly $35 to $56 per lesson, usually paid per school term. Online group classes can cost less; smaller groups and longer lessons usually cost more. Private coaching and holiday camps are priced separately.
What are the typical price ranges for chess lessons in Sydney?
The short answer: it depends on the type of lesson. The table below shows publicly listed prices we could confirm on providers' own websites, plus our own standard fees. Prices change, so always check the provider's current page.
Lesson type | Example price | Works out at | Source (checked Sept 2026) |
Suburb junior chess club, 90 min weekly | $315 (9-week term) / $350 (10-week term) | about $35 per lesson | |
Advanced junior club (NSWJCL/FIDE 400+), 90 min weekly | $450 (9 weeks) / $500 (10 weeks) | about $50 per lesson | Same page as above |
Online group class, 60 min weekly | $150 per term | varies with term length | |
Online weekend specialised group, 60 min, max 10 students | $440 per term | $44 per hour (as stated on the page) | Same page as above |
Academy in-person group class, 75 min weekend (4–8 students) | $468 per 10-lesson term ($50 single) | $46.80 per lesson | Trainstein standard fee |
Academy in-person group class, 90–120 min weekday (4–8 students) | $558 per 10-lesson term ($60 single) | $55.80 per lesson | Trainstein standard fee |
Academy online small-group class, 60–90 min | $368–$528 per 10-lesson term | $36.80–$52.80 per lesson | Trainstein standard fee |
Holiday competition camp, 9 am–3:30 pm, bring your own lunch | $180 for two days | $90 per day | |
Holiday workshop, 3 hours | $50 per session | — | Same page as above |
Holiday camp, 9:30 am–3:30 pm, morning and afternoon tea included | from $119 per day (3+ days) | lunch +$15 | Trainstein standard fee |
NSWJCL-rated junior tournament (one afternoon) | $50 per section | — | Trainstein standard fee |
We have only included prices we could see on a public page. Some providers price on request, so a missing row does not mean a service is unavailable.
Why do chess lesson prices vary so much?
Price mostly reflects how many children share the coach, how long each lesson runs, who the coach is, where classes are held, and what else is included in the fee.
Group size. A class of 4–8 students gives each child more individual attention than a larger group, and usually costs more per child. Online groups and school clubs can take more students, which keeps the price down.
Lesson length. A 60-minute lesson and a 90-minute lesson are not the same product. Compare price per hour, not just per lesson.
Coach level. Titled or highly rated coaches, and coaches with years of teaching experience, generally charge more — especially for private lessons.
Venue. Classes run in school halls or hired rooms have different costs from a dedicated centre with its own classrooms.
What's bundled in. Some term fees cover only the lesson. Others add notes, homework, practice tournaments or rated tournament entries, which can be worth a lot if your child would use them anyway.
How do I compare "per lesson" prices fairly?
Divide the term fee by the number of lessons, then by the lesson length in hours, then add back the value of anything extra included. That gives you a like-for-like figure.
A worked example using our own fees:
Weekend in-person term: $468 ÷ 10 lessons = $46.80 per lesson.
Each lesson is 75 minutes, so $46.80 ÷ 1.25 hours = about $37.40 per hour.
The term fee also includes one free NSWJCL-rated tournament entry (normally $50 per section). If your child would play that tournament anyway, the effective lesson cost falls to about $41.80 per lesson.
The same method applied to a 90-minute club lesson at $350 for 10 weeks gives $35 per lesson, or about $23.30 per hour. Neither number is "right" — they describe different products with different group sizes and inclusions. The point is to compare on the same basis.
Two more things to check:
Term length. NSW terms vary. A 9-week term and a 10-week term at a similar fee are not the same price per lesson.
Early-bird pricing. Many providers, including us, offer early-bird discounts before each term. Make sure you are comparing standard with standard, or early-bird with early-bird.
What does a Trainstein term fee include?
Our term fee covers 10 lessons plus several extras that run alongside the class. For in-person classes (4–8 students), each lesson has a teaching part and a playing and practice part.
10 lessons with weekly class notes
30 tactics puzzles emailed every Friday
2 online practice tournaments a week on Chess.com (Friday and Saturday, 7–8 pm)
A weekly online game-analysis session (Friday, 8:05–8:45 pm)
1 free NSWJCL-rated tournament entry per term
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. Sibling and second-class discounts are available — ask us for current details.
Are holiday camps and tournaments worth the extra cost?
They are optional, and many children progress well on weekly lessons alone. Camps suit families who need school-holiday care or children who enjoy a full day of chess; tournaments suit children who are ready to test themselves in rated games.
When comparing camps, look at the hours (including drop-off and pick-up windows), whether food is included, and the minimum number of days for the quoted daily rate. Our camps run 9:30 am–3:30 pm with drop-off from 9:00 and pick-up by 5:00, include morning and afternoon tea, and start from $119 per day when booking three or more days.
Rated junior tournaments at our Chatswood centre run most Sundays in term, 2:30–5:30 pm, at $50 per section. Ratings are published at chessratings.com.au.
What questions should I ask any chess provider before enrolling?
Whichever provider you choose, these questions help you compare properly:
How many children are in the class, and how many coaches?
How long is each lesson, and how many lessons are in this term?
Is the price standard or early-bird?
What is included beyond the lesson — notes, homework, practice games, tournaments?
How are children placed into levels, and can they move up mid-year?
What happens if my child misses a lesson?
Is there a trial class, and what does it cost?
Who will actually teach my child, and what is their experience?
A good provider will answer all of these clearly. Cost matters, but so does whether your child enjoys the class and keeps coming back — steady practice of 2–3 times a week, 20–30 minutes at a time, does more than any single expensive lesson.
How can I find out which option suits my child?
If you are near Chatswood, the simplest next step is a trial class (the same price as a single lesson: $50 weekend or $60 weekday in person, $38–$56 online), which also confirms the right level. You can call us on 0415 228 088, email trainsteinchess@gmail.com, or visit us at Level 1, 308 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067. We are happy to talk through options, including whether in-person classes, online classes or private online lessons fit your family best.
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