Exeter is a university city with a cathedral at its heart and countryside on its doorstep. It is the sort of place where children grow up doing a wide variety of things, from sports on Northernhay Gardens to evenings at youth groups and after-school clubs across Heavitree, St Thomas, and the other neighbourhoods that make up the city. Chess has been part of Exeter life for well over a century. The chess club has been running since 1895 and the junior section that comes with it is one of the more active in Devon.
Chess Classes Across Exeter
Families from all parts of Exeter are looking for activities that genuinely challenge their children. Parents from Heavitree, St Thomas, Pinhoe, Wonford, Countess Wear, Alphington, Polsloe, Whipton, Newtown, Pennsylvania, and Topsham are all searching for good options within easy reach.
Exeter’s compact size makes it easier than most cities to access activities across different parts of town. Northernhay Gardens, Heavitree Park, and the riverside walks along the Exe are woven into family life here. Chess is the kind of activity that works around all of that, something children can do on a Tuesday after school without it eating up the whole evening.
For families in the surrounding Devon towns and villages, or for parents whose Tuesday evenings are simply already packed, online chess classes offer structured coaching at home without any commute.
Top Chess Classes in Exeter
1. Kingdom Of Chess
Location: Online | Worldwide
Google Rating: 4.9 (384 reviews)
Website: kingdomofchess.com
Coaches: FIDE-certified Grandmasters, International Masters, and experienced chess educators
Kingdom Of Chess runs live, small-batch online chess classes for children aged 5 to 16. Every session has a real coach in the room, interactive exercises, and two-way feedback. There are no pre-recorded videos. Over 10,000 students across 30+ countries have learned through the programme.
Special Features
- Five structured levels taking children from complete beginner to competitive player
- Placement assessment at the start so every child begins at exactly the right point
- Small batch sizes mean no child gets lost in a group class
- Monthly progress reports and a parent dashboard updated after every session
- Weekly in-house tournaments giving students regular competitive practice
- Grandmaster masterclasses included for all students regardless of level
- Flexible scheduling to fit around school and family life across Devon
What tends to resonate with Exeter parents is that Kingdom Of Chess treats children’s chess like a proper discipline rather than a drop-in activity. Progress is tracked, coaches are qualified, and parents can see exactly what their child is working on. For a city with strong academic standards, that matters.
2. Exeter Junior Chess Club
Heavitree Social Club, Wingfield Park, 2 East Wonford Hill, Exeter EX1 3BS, United Kingdom
Location: Heavitree, Exeter
Website: exeterjuniorchess.org.uk
Coaches: Dr Dave Regis and experienced adult chess players from the senior club
Special Features
- Exeter’s dedicated junior chess club, running as the junior section of the well-established Exeter Chess Club (founded 1895)
- Meets on most Tuesdays during term time from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Heavitree Social Club on East Wonford Hill
- The adult Exeter Chess Club meets at the same venue immediately after from 7pm, making the transition into senior competitive chess a natural step for older juniors
- The junior club is designed for children who already know the rules and basic moves. It is not a beginner teaching club, but coaching is offered informally during sessions as players improve
- Many club members have gone on to become strong Devon county players through the Devon Junior Chess Association
- Participating in the Exeter and District Chess League and Devon County Chess Association events gives junior members a genuine competitive outlet
- The club has its own dedicated website at exeterjuniorchess.org.uk with term dates and information for new members
Note: Children who are complete beginners are encouraged to learn the basic rules first through family members or school friends before joining, as sessions focus on play and improvement rather than learning from scratch.
3. Devon Junior Chess Association
Location: Devon-wide (tournaments across the county including Exeter area)
Website: devonjuniorchess.co.uk
Coaches: Volunteer organisers and county coaches. David Regis coordinates junior chess development across Devon.
Special Features
- The county body for junior chess in Devon, running tournaments and coaching days for players aged 7 and upwards from beginner level through to county representative
- Selects and manages Devon county teams at under-9, under-11, under-14, and under-18 levels
- Runs the Devon Junior Chess Championships and the DJCA Riviera tournament series each year
- Recent Devon juniors have had notable success at national level, including a prize-winner at the London Junior Chess Championships centenary event in 2025
- Not a coaching club in the traditional sense, but an essential resource for any Exeter child who wants to compete beyond club level
- The DJCA website has a full calendar of upcoming events, making it easy for parents to plan ahead
4. LearnChess Academy
Location: Online | UK-based
Website: learnchess.co.uk
Coaches: UK-based coaches with school and individual coaching experience
Special Features
- A UK-based online chess academy that delivers interactive weekly sessions for children through its dedicated coaching platform
- Sessions run 35 to 40 minutes of teaching followed by practice games, a format that works well for children aged 7 and upwards
- Operates both as a school chess club provider and as an individual coaching option, so some Exeter schools may already use the platform
- Weekend and weekday options give Exeter families flexibility alongside school activities
- Has a track record with UK families looking for online chess coaching during and since the pandemic, with parent testimonials published on its website
How We Selected These Options
We looked for chess options actively serving Exeter and the wider Devon area. For local clubs, we verified current meeting details, venue addresses, and junior suitability. For online options, we checked that each is genuinely UK-based and currently operating. Where an option is better suited to specific ages or prior experience, we have said so clearly.
Quick Comparison
| Academy Name | Type | Best For | Google Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Of Chess | Global Online | Kids aged 5-16, all levels, structured curriculum | 4.9 (384 reviews) |
| Exeter Junior Chess Club | In-Person Club | Children who know the rules, Tuesday term-time | Not listed |
| Devon Junior Chess Association | Competition Body | Competitive junior players across Devon | Not listed |
| LearnChess Academy | UK Online | Children wanting online sessions with UK coaches | Not listed |
What Should Exeter Parents Actually Do?
If your child is under 10 and new to chess, start with Kingdom Of Chess. The club at Heavitree is built for children who already know how to play, and expecting a 7-year-old who has never seen a chess board to keep up in a session is not a fair ask. Kingdom Of Chess teaches from scratch with proper curriculum-based progression and a coach watching every step.
If your child already plays and wants to compete, Exeter Junior Chess Club on Tuesday evenings is the clear local choice. It is the only in-person junior option in the city, it has a direct link to the adult club at the same venue, and it feeds into the Devon county competition circuit through the DJCA.
Once your child is ready for tournaments, Devon Junior Chess Association is the body to connect with. They run the county championship, the Riviera series, and county squad sessions for players who want to go further. Devon juniors have been punching above their weight nationally in recent years, which is worth knowing.
For Exeter families who want UK-based online coaching but prefer a more locally-framed option than Kingdom Of Chess, LearnChess Academy is a sensible additional consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not directly. The club expects all children to know the basic moves and rules before attending. Sessions are focused on playing and improving rather than teaching the game from scratch. If your child is new to chess, Kingdom Of Chess or LearnChess Academy are better starting points, and once your child is comfortable with the basics they can make the most of the junior club on Tuesday evenings.
The club meets most Tuesdays during term time from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Heavitree Social Club, Wingfield Park, 2 East Wonford Hill, Exeter EX1 3BS. The adult Exeter Chess Club follows at 7pm. Check exeterjuniorchess.org.uk for current term dates.
Devon Junior Chess Association runs tournaments and county championships across Devon for children aged 7 and upwards, including the annual Devon Junior Chess Championships and the DJCA Riviera tournament series. Devon also selects county teams at under-9, under-11, under-14, and under-18 levels. Kingdom Of Chess students can also enter weekly in-house tournaments from day one.
Yes. Kingdom Of Chess offers live online coaching for ages 5 to 16 and is available to any family in Devon. LearnChess Academy at learnchess.co.uk is a UK-based online alternative. Both offer flexible scheduling to fit around school, sport, and family life.
Summary
Exeter is a solid chess city for a place of its size. The junior club at Heavitree is well-established, feeds directly into county competition, and sits alongside one of Devon’s longest-running chess clubs. The Devon Junior Chess Association adds a proper competitive structure for children who want to go further than just club chess.
The honest limitation is that neither local option is well suited to very young beginners. For children aged 5 to 10 who are starting from scratch, Kingdom Of Chess is the strongest option available to Exeter families, with the local club being the right place to go once the basics are in place.
For a broader national comparison, our guide to the top chess classes in the United Kingdom puts Exeter’s options in context.
