Finding a good chess academy in Philadelphia for your child is not always easy. Some programs are tied to specific schools or neighborhoods, and not all of them have trained coaches or a proper curriculum for kids.
This list covers the best chess academies available to Philadelphia families online and in-person. We have placed the online option at the top because it gives kids access to better-qualified coaches and more structured training, no matter where in Philadelphia you live.
This list is for parents looking for chess classes for kids aged 5 to 15.
Chess Classes in Different Areas of Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a large city with very different neighborhoods, from Center City and South Philly to Northeast Philadelphia, West Philadelphia near University City, and the suburbs like the Main Line and Bucks County. Most in-person chess programs are attached to specific schools or community centers, so location matters when picking one.
Online chess classes remove that problem entirely. Your child can attend from home, wherever you are in the Philadelphia area.
Top Chess Classes in Philadelphia
Kingdom of Chess
Website: kingdomofchess.com/usa
Location: Online — available to all Philadelphia families
Mode: 100% Online
Age Group: 5–15 years
Kingdom of Chess is a fully online chess academy that teaches kids across the US and 30+ countries. Philadelphia families can join from any part of the city or surrounding suburbs, Center City, Northeast Philly, South Philadelphia, or even the Main Line and Bucks County.
The academy has FIDE-rated coaches, a structured 4-level curriculum, and weekly Grandmaster masterclasses. Students have won medals at national and international championships. You can book a free trial class before you decide to join.
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Special Features:
- FIDE-rated and certified coaches
- Free trial class for new students
- Weekly Grandmaster masterclasses
- AI-powered progress tracking for students
- 4-level structured curriculum: Pawn, Knight, Rook, King
- Monthly progress reports for parents
- Weekly online tournaments every Sunday
- 10,000+ students trained across 30+ countries
- Recognized by Government of India DPIIT Startup India
Main Line Chess Club
Location: 1 W Ardmore Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003
Mode: In-Person
Area: Ardmore / Main Line suburbs
Main Line Chess Club is located in Ardmore, which sits along the Main Line — the suburban stretch west of Philadelphia along the SEPTA Regional Rail line. It is a good local option for families living in towns like Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, or Wayne.
The club provides a community space for chess players of different ages and skill levels.
Special Features:
- In-person chess club in the Main Line suburbs
- Suitable for different age groups and skill levels
- Community-style setting for regular chess play
- Convenient for families along the SEPTA Main Line rail corridor
After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP)
Location: 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd #1855, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Mode: In-Person
Area: Center City Philadelphia
After School Activities Partnerships, known as ASAP, is based near JFK Boulevard in Center City Philadelphia — close to City Hall and Philadelphia’s central business district. They run after-school programs for students across the city, and chess is one of the activities they offer.
This is a good option if your child’s school is already connected with ASAP or if you live or work in the Center City area.
Special Features:
- After-school program format for school-aged kids
- Located in Center City near City Hall
- Chess offered as part of a broader enrichment program
- Suitable for kids who attend schools with ASAP partnerships
Chasing Scholars
Location: 2229 Orthodox St, Philadelphia, PA 19137
Mode: In-Person
Area: Bridesburg / Northeast Philadelphia
Chasing Scholars is located on Orthodox Street in the Bridesburg neighborhood, which sits in the lower Northeast section of Philadelphia near the Delaware River. They focus on academic enrichment for kids, and chess is part of their programming.
This is a reasonable option for families living in the Bridesburg, Frankford, or Port Richmond areas of Northeast Philadelphia.
Special Features:
- Academic enrichment program with chess included
- Located in Bridesburg, lower Northeast Philadelphia
- Suitable for kids in the surrounding Northeast Philly neighborhoods
- Focus on learning and development alongside chess
Lower Bucks Chess Academy
Location: 64 S Main St, Yardley, PA 19067
Mode: In-Person
Area: Yardley / Lower Bucks County
Lower Bucks Chess Academy is in Yardley, a borough in Lower Bucks County just northeast of Philadelphia, close to the Delaware River and the New Jersey border. It is a local chess academy for kids and teens in the Bucks County suburbs.
If you live in Yardley, Newtown, Langhorne, or nearby communities, this is one of the closer in-person chess options in the area.
Special Features:
- In-person chess training for kids and teens
- Located in Yardley, Lower Bucks County
- Good option for suburban families northeast of Philadelphia
- Structured chess classes for different levels
Kids Chess + Coding
Location: Philadelphia, PA (contact for exact address)
Mode: In-Person
Kids Chess + Coding combines chess instruction with coding education for children. Their exact location is not publicly listed, so it is best to contact them directly for details on where classes are held and what the schedule looks like.
This could be a good fit if you are looking for a program that teaches both chess and basic coding skills together.
Special Features:
- Combines chess and coding in one program
- Designed for kids
- Contact directly for location and class schedule
How We Selected the Best Chess Academies in Philadelphia
We looked at each academy based on these factors:
- Mode of teaching — online or in-person
- Age group they serve
- Quality of coaches
- Availability of a free trial or demo class
- Structured curriculum for kids
- Tournaments and competitive opportunities
Chess Academies in Philadelphia
| Academy | Mode | Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Chess | Online | 5–15 yrs |
| Main Line Chess Club | In-Person | All ages |
| After School Activities | In-Person | School kids |
| Chasing Scholars | In-Person | Kids |
| Lower Bucks Chess Academy | In-Person | Kids/Teens |
| Kids Chess + Coding | In-Person | Kids |
Summary
If you want online chess classes for your child aged 5 to 15, Kingdom of Chess is the best option. It has FIDE-rated coaches, a free trial class, weekly Grandmaster masterclasses, and a structured curriculum. Your child can join from anywhere in Philadelphia or the surrounding suburbs — no commute needed.
If you want in-person classes close to home, your best options depend on where you live:
- Main Line suburbs (Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wayne) — Main Line Chess Club
- Center City Philadelphia — After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP)
- Northeast Philadelphia (Bridesburg, Frankford) — Chasing Scholars
- Bucks County suburbs (Yardley, Newtown) — Lower Bucks Chess Academy
- Looking for chess and coding combined — Kids Chess + Coding
For families who are not sure yet, Kingdom of Chess offers a free trial class so your child can try it before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kingdom of Chess is the top online chess academy for Philadelphia kids. It has FIDE-rated coaches, weekly Grandmaster classes, AI-based progress tracking, and a free trial class. Kids from any part of Philadelphia or the suburbs can join from home.
Most chess coaches suggest starting between ages 5 and 7. Kingdom of Chess has a beginner-level program designed for kids as young as 5, with simple lessons that are easy to follow.
Yes. Kingdom of Chess is fully online. Your child attends live classes with a certified coach using a laptop or tablet. It works for families anywhere in Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks County, or the broader metro area.
It usually takes around 32 to 48 sessions to learn the basic rules and simple strategies. For a child to play confidently in tournaments, most need around 6 to 12 months of regular training.
Kingdom of Chess runs weekly online tournaments every Sunday, which Philadelphia kids can join from home. They also prepare students for state, national, and international competitions. Local clubs like Main Line Chess Club also host community-level events.
