Key Highlights
- Kingdom Of Chess is the only fully online chess academy in this guide, offering live coach-led classes for children across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire without any travel required.
- Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club at St Augustine’s Church Hall is one of the best-run junior chess clubs in the east of England, with sessions for children aged 6 to 16 during term time.
- Cambourne Tutoring’s Chess Steps programme offers both in-person and online sessions for families across Cambridgeshire, with a track record in regional competitions.
Cambridge is one of those rare cities where a love of learning runs through the whole community, not just the university. Parents here tend to invest thoughtfully in their children’s development, and chess fits that instinct very well. It rewards exactly the kind of careful, patient thinking that Cambridge families already value, and the city has a chess scene that reflects that. From established clubs at St Augustine’s to a creative junior programme that combines chess with other board games, the options here are genuine and worth knowing about.
Chess Classes Across Cambridge
Parents from all parts of the city are searching for chess programmes for their children. Families from areas like Newnham, Trumpington, Cherry Hinton, Romsey, Arbury, Kings Hedges, Chesterton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, Petersfield, Girton, Milton, and Fulbourn are all looking for good coaching options close to home.
Cambridge is a city where learning and outdoor life sit naturally together. Spaces like Parker’s Piece, Jesus Green, and Midsummer Common are part of everyday family life here. Chess is one of those activities that makes perfect use of the time in between, whether that is a club session after school or a live online class from home during the week.
For families in the outlying villages and new towns around Cambridge, online chess classes have become the most practical option, removing the need to travel into the city for every session.
Top Chess Classes in Cambridge
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 is a globally recognised online chess academy that provides structured chess training for children aged 5 to 16. The academy offers small-batch live classes where students learn chess step by step, from the very basics through to competitive play. With over 10,000 students across 30+ countries, it is the most trusted online chess academy available to Cambridge families today.
Special Features
- Personalised coaching programmes designed specifically for children aged 5 to 16
- Small batch sizes so every child receives individual attention from their coach
- Five structured levels: Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, and King
- Every child starts with a placement assessment so coaching begins at exactly the right level
- Monthly progress reports and a dedicated parent dashboard to track your child’s development
- Weekly tournaments and practice sessions to build competitive confidence
- Interactive learning through puzzles, game analysis, and live board work
- Weekly Grandmaster masterclasses open to all students
- Fully live and two-way sessions, not pre-recorded videos
Cambridge families often find that the structured, outcome-focused approach of Kingdom Of Chess aligns well with the academic environment children are already growing up in. Progress is measured, feedback is specific, and improvement is visible from an early stage.
2. The Cambridge Chess Forum
1 Longstanton Rd, Oakington, Cambridge CB24 3BB, United Kingdom
Location: Oakington, near Cambridge
Google Rating: 4.5 (8 reviews)
Coaches: Community members and local chess enthusiasts
Special Features
- A small community chess group based in Oakington, a village roughly five miles north of Cambridge city centre
- A 4.5 rating from 8 reviews suggests a well-regarded local option for those nearby
- With limited public information available, it is worth contacting them directly to confirm current session formats, days, and whether it is open to junior players
- Best suited to families in the north Cambridge villages such as Oakington, Longstanton, and Cottenham
3. Cambridge City Chess Club
St Augustine Church Hall, 101 Richmond Road, Cambridge CB4 3PS, United Kingdom
Location: Chesterton, Cambridge
Google Rating: 4.4 (25 reviews)
Website: stas.org.uk
Coaches: Experienced club players and competitive members, including players rated up to Master level
Special Features
- One of Cambridge’s main competitive chess clubs, meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Richmond Road
- Around 30 members with ECF and FIDE ratings ranging across all levels, including players rated up to 2300 (Master)
- Competes in a regional league and runs internal club tournaments throughout the season
- Plays under formal tournament conditions including digital chess clocks and time controls
- Better suited to older juniors and adult players who are already comfortable playing competitively
4. Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club
St Augustine’s Church Hall, Richmond Road, Cambridge CB4 3PT, United Kingdom
Location: Chesterton, Cambridge
Website: chessgo.org.uk
Coaches: Volunteer coaches including club members and visiting chess teachers. Teaching is structured and rotates between chess and Go each session.
Special Features
- One of the most active junior chess clubs in the east of England, with 20 to 30 children attending each session
- For children aged 6 to 16, with no prior chess knowledge required to join
- Meets on Wednesdays during term time from 5pm to 7pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall. The first hour is a structured teaching session, the second hour is open play
- Also meets on Thursdays at St Philip’s Church on Mill Road for families in the south of Cambridge
- Children can play chess, Go, and occasionally other traditional board games such as Shogi and Oware, giving the club a genuinely broad appeal
- Has three teams competing in the Online Junior 4NCL Chess competition, including a team in Division 1
- Sessions cost £5 per week or £40 for a full term paid in advance
5. Cambourne Tutoring (Chess Steps)
Cambourne Church, Jeavons Lane, Cambourne CB23 6AF, United Kingdom
Location: Cambourne (approx. 10 miles west of Cambridge)
Website: cambournetutoring.co.uk
Coaches: Trevor Tolentino, qualified teacher and chess tutor, DBS-checked. Supported by a team of trained volunteers.
Special Features
- Chess Steps is the chess programme run by Cambourne Tutoring, created in 2019 for children in school years 1 to 11
- Offers both in-person sessions at Cambourne Church every Friday from 5pm to 6pm, and online sessions via Zoom and Lichess every Saturday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm (term time only)
- The online Saturday sessions make this accessible to families across Cambridgeshire, not just those in Cambourne itself
- Led by fully qualified, DBS-checked teachers with over 30 years of combined teaching experience
- Two teams representing Cambourne schools have won gold, silver, and bronze at the Cambridgeshire Chess Championships in recent years
- Works with Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) and has donated chess sets to local libraries, community spaces, and Cambourne Church
- Genuine parent testimonials on the website reflect a warm, well-run programme
Note: The in-person sessions are based in Cambourne, not Cambridge city centre. Families across Cambridgeshire can access the online Saturday sessions from home.
How We Selected These Options
To help parents make a confident decision, we evaluated each option based on the following:
- Qualifications and experience of coaches
- Suitability for children, particularly those aged 5 to 16
- Structure and progression of the curriculum
- Opportunities to participate in tournaments or competitions
- Accessibility for families across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire
- Google reviews and overall community reputation
Quick Comparison
| Academy Name | Type | Best For | Google Rating |
| Kingdom Of Chess | Global Online | Kids aged 5-16, all levels, flexible schedule | 4.9 (384 reviews) |
| The Cambridge Chess Forum | In-Person Community | Families in north Cambridge villages | 4.5 (8 reviews) |
| Cambridge City Chess Club | In-Person Club | Older juniors and adults, competitive league chess | 4.4 (25 reviews) |
| Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club | In-Person Club | Children aged 6-16, term-time, beginner-friendly | Not listed |
| Cambourne Tutoring (Chess Steps) | In-Person and Online | Children across Cambridgeshire, years 1-11 | Not listed |
Choosing the Right Chess Class in Cambridge
Cambridge has one of the strongest junior chess setups in the East of England. Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club at St Augustine’s is the standout local option for children aged 6 to 16, with a genuinely structured teaching programme, multiple teams in national competition, and a welcoming atmosphere for complete beginners. Cambridge City Chess Club meets at the same venue later in the evening and is the right step for older juniors ready for competitive rated play. The Cambridge Chess Forum in Oakington is a well-regarded community option for families in the north Cambridge villages. Cambourne Tutoring’s Chess Steps is an excellent choice for families in Cambourne and the surrounding area, with online Saturday sessions available across Cambridgeshire.
For parents who want structured, progressive coaching for a younger child delivered by FIDE-certified coaches with clear curriculum levels and monthly progress reports, Kingdom Of Chess is the strongest option on this list. It is fully online and suits Cambridge’s busy, academic family schedules well. Research consistently shows that chess supports the kind of analytical thinking Cambridge children are already developing at school. You can read more about the connection between chess and academic development if you want to understand why so many parents here make it part of their child’s week.
Cambridge and Cambridgeshire also have a strong competitive circuit through the ECF and the Cambridgeshire Chess Association, with regular junior events through the year. The chess tournaments in the UK 2026 page is a good place to plan ahead for events your child can work towards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a chess club for children in Cambridge?
Yes. Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club at St Augustine’s Church Hall is specifically for children aged 6 to 16 and is one of the best junior chess clubs in the east of England. It meets on Wednesday evenings during term time and also runs Thursday sessions in the south of the city. For structured coaching from age 5, Kingdom Of Chess offers live online classes available to Cambridge families from home.
What age can my child start chess lessons in Cambridge?
Kingdom Of Chess accepts children from age 5. Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club welcomes children from age 6 with no prior knowledge needed. Most local adult clubs suit older juniors aged 12 and above who already play competitively.
What is the difference between Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club and Cambridge City Chess Club?
They share the same venue at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Richmond Road but operate at different times for different audiences. The Junior Chess and Go Club runs Wednesday afternoons from 5pm to 7pm for children aged 6 to 16. Cambridge City Chess Club runs Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm for adult and older junior competitive players.
Are there chess options for families outside Cambridge city centre?
Yes. Cambourne Tutoring’s Chess Steps programme runs in-person sessions at Cambourne Church on Fridays and online sessions on Saturdays, covering a much wider area. The Cambridge Chess Forum in Oakington is a community option for families in the north Cambridge villages. Kingdom Of Chess is fully online and accessible to every family across Cambridgeshire from home.
Summary
Cambridge has a chess scene that genuinely reflects the city’s character. The options here are thoughtful, well-run, and cover a wide range of ages and playing levels.
For children aged 5 to 16 who want structured coaching with qualified teachers, monthly feedback, and a clear progression path, Kingdom Of Chess is the standout choice. It is fully online and accessible to every family in Cambridge and the surrounding area. Our guide to the top chess classes in the United Kingdom puts it in broader national context if you want to compare.
For children aged 6 to 16 who want an active in-person junior club with proper teaching, Cambridge Junior Chess and Go Club is the best local option. For teenagers ready for competitive league chess, Cambridge City Chess Club at the same venue is the natural next step.
Whatever route you choose, starting your child in chess early is one of the better decisions you can make. In a city like Cambridge, it fits right in.
