Choosing an online chess academy for your child has never been harder. Three names keep surfacing in every parent’s research in 2026: Kingdom of Chess, Kaabil Kids, and Upstep Academy. All three are online, all three are India-rooted, and all three promise structured coaching and real results. But they are genuinely different in coaching depth, competitive outcomes, curriculum philosophy, and global reach.
This comparison cuts through the marketing and looks at what each academy actually delivers, from coach credentials to tournament pipelines to what parents say after enrolling. If you are a parent trying to make a serious decision, start here.
Quick Comparison: Kingdom of Chess vs Kaabil Kids vs Upstep Academy
| Feature | Kingdom of Chess | Kaabil Kids | Upstep Academy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018, Udaipur India | 2019, Kanpur India | 2020, Mumbai India |
| Faculty Titles | GMs + IMs (Diptayan Ghosh ELO 2577) | GM Tejas Bakre (Chief Mentor) | IMs + GMs (curriculum level) |
| Students Served | 10,000+ across 30+ countries | 5,000+ (Shark Tank figure) | 30,000+ across 20+ countries |
| Curriculum Levels | 5 levels (Pawn to King) | 5 levels (Foundation to Adv) | 6 levels (Foundation to Master) |
| Class Size | Small groups, personal attention | 6-8 students per group | 4-8 students or 1-on-1 |
| Live Classes | Yes, fully live and interactive | Yes, live + app-based videos | Yes, live with recorded support |
| Tournaments | Weekly academy + external FIDE | Monthly internal tournaments | Internal + FIDE prep (GAP program) |
| Progress Reports | Monthly + parent dashboard | Report card + coach comments | Dedicated relationship manager |
| Geo Reach | 30+ countries | India-centric, global access | 20+ countries |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Academy Overviews: Who Are These Three Platforms?
Kingdom of Chess
Kingdom of Chess was founded in 2018 by Arena Grandmaster Chandrajeet Rajawat in Udaipur, India. The academy has since grown into one of the most internationally recognised online chess platforms for children, now serving 10,000+ students across 30+ countries. What distinguishes KOC is its coaching roster. Students learn live from GM Diptayan Ghosh (ELO 2577) and IM Kushager Krishnater (ELO 2392), a coach who has personally mentored over 20 Grandmasters including Arjun Erigaisi. These are not just advisory figures; they teach live interactive sessions.
The academy follows a five-level curriculum (Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, King) designed to move students from complete beginners to tournament-ready competitors. Monthly progress reports, parent dashboards, and weekly in-house chess tournaments are part of the standard package. KOC has produced IM Yash Bharadia (ELO 2415) and CM Arun Kataria (ELO 2384) among its titled alumni.
Kaabil Kids
Kaabil Kids was founded in 2019 by Sunil Raina and Kitty Mahapatra in Kanpur, India. The academy gained national attention when it appeared on Shark Tank India Season 3, where it secured investment from Aman Gupta and Namita Thapar. The curriculum was designed by GM Tejas Bakre, India’s 11th Grandmaster, who serves as Chief Mentor. Kaabil Kids is marketed at children aged 5 to 15 and emphasises affordability, with group classes priced at approximately Rs 375 per session.
The academy integrates an in-house child psychologist into its approach, which is a genuine differentiator for parents focused on emotional development alongside chess skill. By 2026, Kaabil Kids runs a mix of live Zoom-style classes and app-based recorded lessons, with group sizes of six to eight students. Monthly internal tournaments give students competitive exposure. The academy reports training over 5,000 students to date.
Upstep Academy
Upstep Academy launched in 2020 from Mumbai and describes itself as a global leader in online chess training. The academy is headquartered at Andheri East and operates across 20+ countries, with a claimed base of 30,000+ students. Its strongest marketing hook is that level completion certificates are signed and inspired by 5-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand. Classes are small (four to eight students or private one-on-one) and structured across six levels.
Upstep’s premium programme, the Grandmaster Accelerator Programme (GAP), targets ambitious students aiming for 250+ rating point improvements within twelve months and exposure to eight or more FIDE classical tournaments per year. The academy also offers specialised mental toughness training alongside technical coaching. Its curriculum was designed by International Masters and Grandmasters, though direct live GM instruction is concentrated in the GAP programme.
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Coaching Credentials: Where the Difference is Most Clear
The quality of whoever sits across from your child in a live class matters more than any other factor in chess development.
Kingdom of Chess: Active GM and IM Coaching in Live Sessions
Kingdom of Chess is the only academy among these three where children regularly interact live with coaches who hold current, active FIDE-certified chess coaching credentials at the GM and IM level. GM Diptayan Ghosh, rated 2577, participates in live sessions. IM Kushager Krishnater has a coaching record that includes over 20 Grandmasters, which is not a marketing claim but a verifiable training lineage.
For a parent, this distinction is straightforward: your child is not learning from someone who once studied under a Grandmaster. They are learning directly from Grandmasters and International Masters in the classroom itself.
Kaabil Kids: Curriculum Designed by a GM, Delivered by FIDE-Certified Trainers
Kaabil Kids draws heavily on GM Tejas Bakre’s credentials. Bakre, India’s 11th Grandmaster, designed the curriculum and serves as Chief Mentor. Day-to-day coaching is handled by FIDE-certified trainers. This means the instructional framework is GM-quality but the live teaching contact your child has is typically with a certified trainer rather than a titled GM.
For families focused on chess as a holistic cognitive activity rather than competitive excellence, this setup works well. The child psychology integration is a genuine strength here that neither KOC nor Upstep replicates in the same structured way.
Upstep Academy: GM-Designed Curriculum with Anand Endorsement
Upstep’s curriculum is designed by GMs and IMs, and the Anand certificate association is a credibility signal that resonates with Indian families in particular. The GAP programme does offer direct Grandmaster access, but this is a premium tier rather than standard class delivery.
The day-to-day teaching is carried out by FIDE-rated coaches, which is solid, but comparable to Kaabil Kids in structure. The Anand connection adds prestige without guaranteeing direct Anand instruction.
Similar Reads: Kingdom of Chess vs Silver Knights Chess Academy
Curriculum Structure: How Each Academy Builds a Chess Player
Kingdom of Chess: Pawn to King, Five Structured Levels
KOC’s curriculum maps the chess journey as a clear progression: Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, King. Each level has defined competencies, measurable targets, and assessments. The beginner chess curriculum builds fundamentals, while the advanced and elite levels include tournament preparation, deep opening theory, and endgame technique.
The weekly in-house tournament structure is especially significant. Students at KOC compete regularly in a controlled, academy-run environment before stepping into external FIDE events. This reduces the psychological gap between training and competition that often causes rating anxiety in young players.
Kaabil Kids: Five Levels with Psychology Integration
Kaabil Kids structures its curriculum across five levels, from foundational chess through to national competition preparation. The three-month foundation course introduces game basics before students progress to tactics, openings, and competitive formats. A practical, app-based library of puzzles and bite-sized lesson videos supports the live weekly classes.
The embedded child psychology element means coaches are trained to adapt to learning styles, attention spans, and emotional responses. Monthly tournaments and a report card system give parents clear progress signals without needing technical chess knowledge to interpret them.
Upstep Academy: Six Levels with a Tournament-First Mindset
Upstep runs six structured levels from foundation to Master, culminating in the GAP programme. The academy describes its approach as tournament-first: students participate in internal Swiss system format tournaments before entering FIDE-rated events. The GAP programme targets 8+ FIDE classical tournaments per year and aims for a 250+ point rating improvement in twelve months for advanced students.
The structured relationship manager system, where each enrolled family has a dedicated contact for support, is a practical operational differentiator. It reduces parent confusion during the enrolment and progression process.
Proven Results: What Has Each Academy Actually Produced?
Results matter in chess education. Parents should ask not what an academy promises, but what its students have actually achieved.
Kingdom of Chess
- IM Yash Bharadia (ELO 2415): International Master title from KOC training
- CM Arun Kataria (ELO 2384): Candidate Master with strong tournament record
- Consistent national and international medalists from KOC’s student body
- IM Krishnater’s coaching lineage includes Arjun Erigaisi, now one of the world’s top-ranked players
KOC’s student success stories reflect a structured pathway that takes students from zero rating to titled players, not in theory but in documented results.
Kaabil Kids
Kaabil Kids highlights student wins at state-level and inter-school tournaments, with standout stories including a student reaching Top 10 at MCA All Bengal Chess Championship Under-10. The academy’s competitive results are strongest at the school-circuit and regional level, which aligns well with its affordability positioning and child development focus.
Upstep Academy
Upstep has produced some impressive individual results. Shreyanshi Jain became Under-7 Girls National School Chess Champion with a perfect 9/9 score. Reyaansh Chakrabarty won the Australian National Under-16 title at age 11. Rishen clinched the Indian Under-11 National Schools Championship with an 8/9 score. The academy’s results are strongest at national school level and international junior circuits, with the GAP programme beginning to produce FIDE-rated results for advanced students.
Global Reach and Community: Who Serves International Families Best?
If your family is outside India, or if your child needs the flexibility of truly global scheduling and international competitive community, Kingdom of Chess operates most visibly across 30+ countries with an established presence serving students from the US, UK, Malaysia, UAE, and beyond. The academy’s online chess classes for kids accommodate different time zones, languages of instruction, and regional tournament calendars.
Upstep Academy also operates internationally across 20+ countries but conducts all classes exclusively in English, which simplifies coordination but may not suit all families. Kaabil Kids is primarily India-centric in its competitive ecosystem, though the platform is accessible globally.
Pricing: What Does Each Academy Actually Cost?
All three academies fall in the mid-range bracket for Indian online chess coaching. Here is what the research reveals:
- Kaabil Kids: Group classes at approximately Rs 375 per session, individual classes at Rs 900 per session. Most affordable of the three.
- Kingdom of Chess: Priced in the Rs 2,000 to 4,000 per month range depending on programme. Premium positioned but reflects active GM and IM live coaching access.
- Upstep Academy: Comparable range for standard programmes. GAP programme carries a premium tier cost reflecting the Grandmaster Accelerator content.
The right framing is not which is cheapest. It is which delivers the best return on investment for your child’s goals. If the goal is competitive FIDE ratings and titled progress, KOC’s premium reflects real coaching value. If the goal is affordable structured learning with holistic development focus, Kaabil Kids delivers genuine quality at its price point.
Who Should Choose Which Academy?
Choose Kingdom of Chess if your child…
- Is aiming for FIDE ratings, national titles, or titled play (IM, FM, CM)
- Needs access to active GM and IM coaches in live sessions, not just curriculum-level involvement
- Benefits from a structured weekly tournament environment that mirrors real competition
- Is based outside India and needs an academy with genuine international chess coaching infrastructure and time-zone flexibility
- Thrives on measurable progress, monthly reports, and parent dashboards with real data
Choose Kaabil Kids if your child…
- Is aged 5 to 10 and needs a gentler, child psychology-informed introduction to chess
- Is from an Indian family prioritising affordability without sacrificing structured learning
- Enjoys a mix of live coaching and self-paced recorded content between sessions
- Is playing chess more recreationally or at school-circuit level rather than targeting FIDE titles
Choose Upstep Academy if your child…
- Is at intermediate level and needs clear structured progression with relationship management support
- Is motivated by the Viswanathan Anand certificate association as a milestone reward
- Is ready for the GAP programme and serious about accelerating toward FIDE-rated tournament play
- Prefers English-only instruction in an internationally structured environment
What Parents Are Actually Saying
Kingdom of Chess Parent Reviews
Parents of KOC students consistently highlight two things: the quality of coach interaction in live sessions and the visible rating improvement in tournament play. Parents from smaller cities in India specifically note that KOC gave their children access to GM-level instruction they could not access locally. The structured progress reports reduce the common parent concern of not knowing whether online coaching is actually working.
Kaabil Kids Parent Reviews
Kaabil Kids receives strong feedback on the patience and child-friendliness of its coaches. Multiple parents note that the academy handles attention and focus challenges well, which connects directly to the child psychology integration in the teaching model. The monthly tournaments are frequently mentioned as a highlight, giving children a competitive outlet without the pressure of external events.
Upstep Academy Parent Reviews
Upstep parents frequently mention the professionalism of the onboarding process and the helpfulness of dedicated relationship managers. The structured curriculum and the Anand certificate milestone generate genuine excitement in households where Anand is seen as a chess hero. Some parents note that advancing to the GAP programme requires additional investment and commitment.
The Kingdom of Chess Advantage: What Makes It Stand Apart
In coaching, the ceiling of your teacher defines the ceiling of your student’s growth.
Both Kaabil Kids and Upstep Academy are credible platforms. Neither is a bad choice. But when the deciding factor is the depth of expert coaching contact your child receives in a live classroom, Kingdom of Chess operates at a level the others have not matched.
- Direct GM access: GM Diptayan Ghosh (ELO 2577) is not a figurehead. He teaches.
- Proven title production: IM Yash Bharadia, CM Arun Kataria, and others represent a verifiable pipeline from student to titled player.
- Weekly tournament culture: The competitive rhythm at KOC builds tournament habits that pure training academies cannot replicate.
- Global infrastructure: 30+ countries, school partnerships with The British School and Crossroads, and AICF recognition anchor the academy’s credibility internationally.
- DPIIT-recognised startup: Kingdom of Chess holds DPIIT Startup India recognition and was named Best Startup at TiECON Udaipur 2025, adding institutional credibility alongside teaching quality. Learn more at our founder’s story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Leader for Competitive Goals
Kaabil Kids, Upstep Academy, and Kingdom of Chess all represent real progress in making quality chess education accessible to children online. Each has genuine strengths. Kaabil Kids wins on affordability and child psychology integration. Upstep Academy wins on the Anand association and the structured relationship management experience.
But for families whose child is serious about chess, Kingdom of Chess operates at a different level of coaching depth. The combination of active GM instruction in live sessions, a verified record of producing titled players, weekly competitive tournaments, and a global reach across 30+ countries is not easily matched. If chess is genuinely important for your child’s future, the place to start is a free trial class at Kingdom of Chess online chess classes.
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