Which Chess Level Is My Child? A Parent's Guide
Last updated: October 2026
Trainstein Chess College teaches children aged 4.5 to 17 across six levels, from New to Chess to JCL Training, and classes often combine two neighbouring levels. Most families can pick a likely level in a few minutes using the home self-test below, and the trial class then confirms placement with a coach.
How many levels are there, and how do they work?
There are six levels: New to Chess, Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced and JCL Training. Classes often combine two neighbouring levels, so class groups are named in pairs (see the second table). Classes are small groups: 4–8 students in person, and online classes generally no more than 6 students. Every lesson has a teaching part and a playing/practice part; a term is 10 lessons.
Level | Typical starting age | Approximate rating guide |
1. New to Chess | 4.5+ (class designed for 4.5–6.5) | No rating needed |
2. Beginner | 5+ | No rating needed |
3. Pre-Intermediate | 6+ | Working towards Chess.com 300–800 or NSWJCL 200–400 |
4. Intermediate | Varies | About Chess.com 300–800 or NSWJCL 200–400 |
5. Advanced | Varies | About Chess.com 800+ or NSWJCL 400+ |
6. JCL Training | Varies | Tournament-focused training for rated tournament players |
Class groups. There are six levels; classes often combine two neighbouring levels, so class groups are named in pairs. We use five paired groups:
Class group | Typical starting age | Approximate rating guide |
1. New to Chess / Beginner | 4.5+ (class designed for 4.5–6.5) | No rating needed |
2. Beginner / Pre-Intermediate | 5+ | No rating needed |
3. Pre-Intermediate / Intermediate | 6+ | Working towards Chess.com 300–800 or NSWJCL 200–400 |
4. Intermediate / Advanced | Varies | Around Chess.com 300–800 or NSWJCL 200–400, moving towards 800+ / 400+ |
5. Advanced / JCL Training | Varies | Around Chess.com 800+ or NSWJCL 400+ |
Ratings and ages are approximate — a starting point from our coaches' guide. What your child can do on the board matters more than age.
Quick self-test: where should my child start?
Answer these in order and stop at the first "no".
Does your child know how every piece moves, including pawns? No → Group 1, New to Chess/Beginner.
Can they recognise check and checkmate, and finish a whole game without help? No → Group 2, Beginner/Pre-Intermediate.
Can they checkmate with king and queen against a lone king, and do they know castling, en passant and promotion? No → Group 2, Beginner/Pre-Intermediate.
Do they regularly spot simple tactics (forks, pins, undefended pieces) and play online at around Chess.com 300 or more? No → Group 3, Pre-Intermediate/Intermediate.
Are they around Chess.com 800+ or NSWJCL 400+, and do they play rated tournaments? No → Group 4, Intermediate/Advanced. Yes → Group 5, Advanced/JCL Training.
Unsure between two groups? Tell us when you book — the trial class confirms placement.
Group 1: New to Chess / Beginner
Who it suits: children from about 4.5 who have never played, or only know a few moves. The class is designed for ages 4.5–6.5 and uses cartoons, animation and games. The goal is enjoying chess, not winning.
What they can already do: no chess knowledge needed.
What they learn: the board and pieces, how each piece moves and captures, check, and simple mini-games that build towards a full game.
Typical next step: Group 2 once they know every move and can play a complete game.
Group 2: Beginner / Pre-Intermediate
Who it suits: children around 5+ who know the moves but are still learning to finish games.
What they can already do:
Knows how each piece moves, including pawns
Understands check and can get out of it
Plays a full game, sometimes with reminders
What they learn: checkmate patterns (king and queen, king and rook against a lone king), special moves (castling, en passant, promotion), basic piece values, and simple opening principles such as developing pieces and controlling the centre.
Typical next step: Group 3 once they can reliably checkmate a lone king and play full games independently.
Group 3: Pre-Intermediate / Intermediate
Who it suits: children around 6+ who play full games confidently and want to start winning more of them.
What they can already do:
Can checkmate with king and queen vs king
Knows all the special moves
What they learn: basic tactics (forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks), simple endgames such as king and pawn, opening principles, and how to review their own games.
Typical next step: Group 4, often alongside a first NSWJCL-rated tournament.
Group 4: Intermediate / Advanced
Who it suits: children who already play online or in junior tournaments, roughly Chess.com 300–800 or NSWJCL 200–400.
What they can already do:
Spots two-move tactics in their own games
Has a small set of openings they play regularly
What they learn: combinations and calculation, planning in the middlegame, pawn structure, practical endgames (rook endings, opposition), and tournament habits such as notation and time management.
Typical next step: Group 5 once they are around Chess.com 800+ or NSWJCL 400+.
Group 5: Advanced / JCL Training
Who it suits: tournament players around Chess.com 800+ or NSWJCL 400+ who want structured training.
What they can already do:
Plays rated games with notation
Calculates several moves ahead in forcing lines
Prepares openings and reviews games after tournaments
What they learn: deeper calculation, strategic planning, opening preparation, advanced endgames and game analysis aimed at junior competition.
Typical next step: continued JCL training, private 1-on-1 online coaching, and regular rated tournaments.
Frequently asked questions
Which level is right for my child? Use the self-test above to choose a likely level. The trial class then confirms placement with a coach.
Does my child need a rating to join? No. The New to Chess, Beginner and Pre-Intermediate levels need no rating, and the rating guide for higher levels is approximate only. NSWJCL ratings are published at chessratings.com.au.
What age can my child start? From about 4.5. The New to Chess class is designed for ages 4.5–6.5.
What if my child is placed in the wrong level? The coach will suggest moving up or down if another group suits better. Placement is based on skills, not age alone.
How much is a trial class? The same as a single lesson: $50 (weekend) or $60 (weekday) in person, or $38–$56 online depending on level (Zoom, using both ChessKid and Chess.com: beginners mostly ChessKid, stronger students mostly Chess.com).
Ready to find the right level?
Run through the self-test, then book a trial class so a coach can confirm placement. Call 0415 228 088, email trainsteinchess@gmail.com, or visit us at Level 1, 308 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067.
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