Best Chess Classes in Delhi 2026: Top 10 Academies for Kids

The best chess classes in Delhi pair FIDE-rated coaches with a written chess curriculum and regular tournament practice. Kingdom of Chess leads for live online coaching. Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy, My Chess Zone and Deoghar Chess Academy lead the in-person options on Google reviews.

Delhi is huge, and its traffic is worse than its reputation. Finding the best chess classes in Delhi starts with the commute. A class that costs 90 minutes each way won't survive past month two. So we ranked academies by Google rating, review volume and how clearly each one explains what it teaches.

This guide covers the best chess classes in Delhi for kids across South, East, West and North Delhi. It's the Delhi chapter of our national ranking of the best chess classes in India. All ratings come from Google Business Profiles.

Why Should Kids in Delhi Learn Chess?

Kids in Delhi should learn chess because it builds focus, planning and patience. The city also offers the coaching and tournaments to use those skills. A 2016 meta-analysis of 24 studies found a moderate overall effect of chess instruction on school skills (g = 0.338). The effect was larger for maths (g = 0.382) than for reading (g = 0.248). Study quality varies, though, so treat chess as a useful habit, not a grade guarantee.

In our experience coaching thousands of students, parents notice three changes first:

• Longer focus. A child who hops between activities starts sitting through a full 45-minute class.
• Calmer losing. A lost game becomes a lesson to review, not a disaster to avoid.
• Planning ahead. Kids start asking "what happens next?" before they move, on the board and off it.

Our guide to the benefits of chess covers the evidence in more detail. Good coaching turns those habits into results. That's why the best chess classes in Delhi teach a structured curriculum, not random puzzles.

Why Is Delhi a Major Chess Destination?

Delhi is a major chess destination because it hosts one of Asia's biggest open tournaments and keeps producing grandmasters. The 21st Delhi GM Open ran 7 to 14 June 2025 at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur. The Bridge reported a ₹1.21 crore prize pool, more than 2,500 players expected and 20 grandmasters in the field. It called the event the largest classical-format tournament in Asia by participation. Gukesh D earned his final grandmaster norm there.

Talent keeps coming from the city too. Aaryan Varshney became India's 92nd grandmaster in January 2026. He is the eighth grandmaster from Delhi, joining Parimarjan Negi, Abhijeet Gupta and Sahaj Grover.

Coaching follows the players. Academies now sit in every zone. The local names below span Safdarjung Enclave, Lajpat Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Model Town, Sitapuri, Janakpuri, Hari Nagar, Patel Nagar and Chittaranjan Park. That spread is why location matters as much as coach quality when you shortlist the best chess classes in Delhi.

Top 10 Best Chess Academies in Delhi (Ranked for 2026)

Here are the best chess classes in Delhi for 2026, ranked. We rank ourselves first, and we'd rather say so upfront (yes, we're biased). Check our claims against the free trial. The local academies that follow are ordered by Google rating and review volume. Each entry sticks to details we could verify from Google Business Profiles, academy websites and public listings. That keeps this list of the best chess academies in Delhi honest, even where the details are thin.

1. Kingdom of Chess (Live Online)

Arena Grandmaster Chandrajeet Rajawat founded Kingdom of Chess in Udaipur in 2018. He started with four or five kids in a small room. The academy now teaches 10,000+ students across 30+ countries. Delhi families can join from home, so there's no metro ride and no missed class in monsoon season.

Classes are live and interactive, never recorded. Batches are capped at 6 to 8 students at the Pawn, Knight and Rook levels. So the coach sees every child's board. Each class runs 45 minutes. Coaches are FIDE-certified, with International Masters and Grandmasters teaching the upper levels.

The chess curriculum has four levels. Beginners start with chess for beginners, the Pawn level: 32 sessions over four months. Then come Knight, Rook and King. Parents get a dashboard and progress reports, so nobody has to guess what a child learned this month.

The free trial is a real class. A FIDE-certified coach teaches a live session, assesses your child and writes up a recommended level.

• Address: Online (live classes from home). Headquarters: Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Contact: kingdomofchess.com (book a free class on the website)
• GMB Rating: 4.9
• Mode: Live online, small groups or private coaching
• Courses Offered: Pawn (Beginner, 32 sessions over 4 months), Knight (Intermediate, 64 sessions over 8 months), Rook (Advanced, 96 sessions over 12 months), King (Elite)
• Programs: Live interactive classes, parent dashboard, progress reports, tournament simulation and GM analysis at the Rook and King levels
• Best For: Kids from age 4 who need a structured path, and families who want the best chess classes in Delhi without the commute

2. Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (Safdarjung Enclave)

Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy (SRCA) is one of the best chess classes in Delhi for kids who want to compete. It's built around a titled player. According to ChessBase, Shivika is a Women's FIDE Master with two Woman International Master norms. She beat GM R.R. Laxman at the 2022 Delhi GM International and won silver at the 2023 Western Asian Youth Championship (Under-16 Girls).

SRCA has run weekly rapid and blitz events across Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon, so students get real game practice. Players range from age 4 to over 70. The academy also offers discounts for girl players and free classes for underprivileged children through the Helping Hands NGO.

• Address: B-7/93, B-7 Extension, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029
• Contact: srchessacademy.com
• GMB Rating: 4.9
• Mode: In-person coaching and tournaments
• Courses Offered: Chess coaching for children and adults, chess consultation
• Programs: Rapid and blitz tournaments, sports psychology and nutrition guidance, girls' discounts
• Best For: Kids and adults who want a titled-player coach and frequent tournament play

3. My Chess Zone (Janakpuri)

My Chess Zone earns its place among the best chess classes in Delhi with flexible timings. It has taught in Janakpuri since 2015, according to its public listing. Group and one-to-one classes run for kids, teens and adults, with morning and evening batches.

Beginner-friendly and advanced tracks run in person and online. A free trial is available, and students get tournament preparation. The listing highlights interactive classes with personal attention. Its Google profile also carries one of the deepest review histories on this list. That's why it ranks second among the local options.

• Address: Kundapura, C-1A Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058
• Contact: 084481 24033 | mychesszone.com
• GMB Rating: 5.0
• Mode: In-person and online, group and one-to-one
• Courses Offered: Beginner-friendly and advanced levels
• Programs: Morning and evening batches, tournament preparation, free trial
• Best For: West Delhi families who want flexible timings and a choice of online or in-person classes

4. Deoghar Chess Academy (Laxmi Nagar)

Deoghar Chess Academy serves East Delhi from Mangal Bazar in Laxmi Nagar. It holds one of the highest Google ratings among the local academies here, backed by a large body of reviews. For a neighbourhood centre, that's a strong sign, because those reviews come from parents who sat through the classes. It earns a spot among the best chess classes in Delhi on feedback alone.

However, the Google profile doesn't publish a course menu, and we couldn't find a working website. So treat the trial visit as your due diligence. Ask which levels it teaches, how many children share a batch and who coaches them.

• Address: F-193/B, Mangal Bazar, Block F, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi 110092
• Contact: 098183 34513
• GMB Rating: 4.9
• Mode: In-person
• Best For: East Delhi families near Laxmi Nagar who prefer a local, in-person class

5. Rj Pure Chess Academy (Sitapuri)

Rj Pure Chess Academy teaches from Sitapuri in West Delhi. Public listings show group classes for kids, teens and adults at all levels, in person and online. A trial class is available, so you can judge the coach's style before you pay.

Reviewers praise the engaging online classes and supportive atmosphere. The listing describes fees as mid-range. It doesn't publish batch sizes or coach names, so ask for both at the trial. It's a solid option among the best chess classes in Delhi for West Delhi beginners.

• Address: Backside of Nehru Academy School, Police Station, RZ C-54, Gali No. 4, near Dabri, Sitapuri Part 1, New Delhi 110045
• Contact: 084475 02439
• GMB Rating: 5.0
• Mode: In-person and online, group classes
• Courses Offered: All levels
• Programs: Group coaching, flexible batches, trial class
• Best For: West Delhi beginners and school-age kids who want a mix of online and in-person classes

6. IGSF Chess Academy (Lajpat Nagar)

IGSF Chess Academy sits at Gate No. 16 of Lajpat Nagar Metro Station. For South and Central Delhi families, that location solves the commute on day one. Its Google profile lists basic, intermediate and advanced levels, which gives parents a simple way to place a child.

IGSF's Lichess team page says the academy is registered with the Delhi Chess Association and coaches in schools and institutions. Ask whether centre batches stay small and whether the coaches hold FIDE ratings. A metro-side class is only useful if the teaching backs it up. For metro commuters, it's a practical pick among the best chess classes in Delhi.

• Address: Gate No. 16, Lajpat Nagar Metro Station, 25/155, near Moolchand, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar 4, New Delhi 110024
• Contact: 098915 98908
• GMB Rating: 4.9
• Mode: In-person
• Courses Offered: Basic, intermediate and advanced levels
• Programs: Centre coaching, plus school and institutional programs (per its Lichess team page)
• Best For: South and Central Delhi families who want metro access and level-wise batches

7. Delhi Chess Classes (Model Town)

Delhi Chess Classes serves North Delhi from Model Town, near Azadpur. Public listings describe group and one-to-one coaching, in person and online, for beginners through advanced players. Its website says coaching runs from grassroots to master level, with tournament preparation.

The website also mentions professional and national-level players on the coaching side. We couldn't verify individual names, so ask for them. Batches start from 3:30 pm, which suits after-school schedules. The rating sits below the leaders above but rests on a solid review base. It's a fair shortlist name among the best chess classes in Delhi for North Delhi families.

• Address: 2nd Floor, Malik's H, 1/1B, behind Vijay Sales, near Azadpur, Model Town III, Block H, Phase 3, Model Town, Delhi 110033
• Contact: 098111 63587 | delhichessclasses.com
• GMB Rating: 4.6
• Mode: In-person and online, group and one-to-one
• Courses Offered: Beginner to advanced levels
• Programs: Tournament preparation, personal coaching, afternoon batches from 3:30 pm
• Best For: North Delhi students who want after-school batches and the option of one-to-one coaching

8. Genius Chess Academy (Chittaranjan Park)

Genius Chess Academy is a South Delhi name to shortlist among the best chess classes in Delhi. It teaches from Chittaranjan Park, a neighbourhood full of school-going families. Its Google profile lists chess training, online coaching and online training. So kids can attend in person or log in when travel isn't practical.

Batches open from 4 pm, which fits the after-school window. The profile doesn't publish a level structure or coach names. Ask for both at the trial, plus how the academy measures progress. Those three answers tell you more than a star rating does.

• Address: M-57 LGF, Kali Mandir Society, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi 110019
• Contact: 098114 75368
• GMB Rating: 4.8
• Mode: In-person and online
• Courses Offered: Chess training
• Programs: Online coaching and online training
• Best For: South Delhi families near CR Park who want after-school batches with an online fallback

9. Champions Chess Centre (East Patel Nagar)

Champions Chess Centre has the longest track record on this list. Its listing says the centre was established in 1993 and is registered with the Delhi Chess Association. The listing names two coaches, Puneet Jaiswal and Rashmi Saini Jaiswal. Naming coaches is a good sign, so ask for their FIDE IDs. That history makes it a useful benchmark among the best chess classes in Delhi.

Teaching happens in small groups and one-to-one, with online assignments between sessions. Timings are limited: Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 7 pm, weekends from 10 am to 1 pm, Monday closed. So confirm batch availability before you plan around it.

• Address: Ground Floor, 3/27, Block 3, East Patel Nagar, Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008
• Contact: 090151 18022 | championschess.in
• GMB Rating: 4.8
• Mode: Small groups, one-to-one and online
• Courses Offered: Beginner-friendly coaching with tournament preparation
• Programs: Online assignments, personal attention in small groups, trial classes
• Best For: Central Delhi families who want a long-established centre with named coaches

10. Royal Chess Academy (Hari Nagar)

Royal Chess Academy teaches from Nanak Pura, near Jasrotia Hospital in Hari Nagar. Its Google profile lists one-to-one classes and professional chess coaching. Public listings add group sessions, online and offline, plus a free trial.

It has the lowest rating on this list, so book a trial before committing. That isn't a verdict on the teaching, since a smaller review base can swing an average. Ask what the first month covers and if the same coach teaches your child each week. It's worth a trial when you compare the best chess classes in Delhi for individual attention.

• Address: M-36, near Jasrotia Hospital, MS Block, Nanak Pura, Hari Nagar, New Delhi 110064
• Contact: 083838 41561
• GMB Rating: 4.3
• Mode: One-to-one, plus group sessions online and offline (per public listings)
• Courses Offered: Professional chess coaching, all levels
• Programs: One-to-one classes, free trial, morning, evening and weekend batches
• Best For: West Delhi kids who need a slower pace and individual attention

Quick Comparison: Which Are the Best Chess Classes in Delhi?

Among the best chess classes in Delhi, Kingdom of Chess is the best fit for live online coaching. Shivika Rohilla Chess Academy, My Chess Zone and Deoghar Chess Academy lead the in-person options on Google ratings. Shortlist two or three of the best chess classes in Delhi from the table. Then book a trial at each.

How Do You Choose the Best Chess Classes in Delhi?

Choose the best chess classes in Delhi by checking four things: coaches, curriculum, batch size and travel time. A trial class shows you all four in under an hour. Skip any academy that won't offer one, however high it ranks among the best chess classes in Delhi.

• FIDE-rated coaches: Search the coach's name on the official FIDE ratings list. A title proves playing strength, not teaching skill, so watch a trial class too.
• A real chess curriculum: It should name the topics at each level (tactics, basic endgames, opening principles). It should also explain how a child moves up. "We teach whatever the child needs" is not a curriculum.
• Batch size: For beginners, we cap batches at 6 to 8 students. Beyond that, the coach can't see every board.
• Format: Compare online vs offline chess classes for your child's age and attention span. The best chess classes in Delhi come in both formats. Then check what the commute would cost you each week.
• Travel time: Delhi traffic beats enthusiasm. A class near a metro station gets attended. A class across town gets skipped.
• Tournament path: If your child wants a rating, ask how the academy prepares students for FIDE-rated events. Our guide to chess rating and certification explains the steps.
• Transparency: Ask for coach names, batch timings and a trial class before you pay anything.

Walk away if you hear any of these:

• A guaranteed rating jump in a fixed number of weeks
• No named coaches, or a refusal to share a FIDE ID
• Mixed-age, mixed-level batches with no cap
• Payment demanded before a trial class

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Chess Classes in Delhi

The best chess classes in Delhi give your child a clear path and a qualified coach. For live online chess classes Kingdom of Chess is our top pick for live online coaching, and the local academies above suit in-person play. Book a trial at two academies and watch how the coach teaches. Then trust how your child feels afterwards.

Every chess journey starts with a first move. Make your child's a trial class today.\

Also Read:

• Best chess classes in Gurugram
• Best chess classes in Noida
• Best chess classes in Ghaziabad
• Perfect age to start learning chess

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