Ages 7–12 · Strategy Program · Enrolling Now

Chess That Trains How They Think.

A structured, small-group program for children aged 7–12 ready to be genuinely challenged. Most chess classes teach moves — this one teaches thinking.

👥 6–8 students per batch

🏅 FIDE-rated trainers

🎓 Harvard Thinking Framework

🎥 Every class recorded

🏆 Lifetime tournaments

Enroll Now See the Curriculum

200+ children coached

50+ tournament wins

7 years of results

What parents say

Is this right for your child?

Be honest. Does any of
this sound familiar?

Between 7 and 14, children develop the thinking habits they’ll carry for life — how they handle a hard problem, whether they plan ahead or react, whether they recover from setbacks.

Chess, taught properly, trains all of it. Not because chess is magical. But because every move demands your child observe, evaluate, decide, and live with the consequence. Done consistently, that process becomes a habit.

This isn’t about raising a chess champion. It’s about raising a child who knows how to think.

🧠

Smart but scattered They have the ability — but struggle to focus it into sustained, directed effort.
😤

Gives up when it gets hard The moment something stops being easy, they disengage. Frustration wins before effort does.
⚡

Reacts before thinking Impulsive in arguments, schoolwork, and games. Acts first, considers consequences later.
📉

Tried chess — didn’t stick They’ve played before, but no one taught them to think through it. They memorised moves, not logic.
🎯

You want real progress, not vague development You’re done with programs that can’t tell you what your child actually learned.

The thinking framework

Chess skills that transfer
to real life.

Chess With Rathish uses a structured methodology rooted in the Harvard Thinking Routine — a research-backed framework that teaches children to slow down, observe carefully, and reason through problems before acting.

It’s not a buzzword. It’s the reason our students don’t just play better chess. They think better. Their teachers notice. Their parents notice. They notice.

Every skill learned on the board has a direct parallel off it. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Spotting tactics

On the board

→

Pattern recognition

In exams & problems

Managing time per move

On the board

→

Deadline discipline

In school & work

Recovering from a bad position

On the board

→

Resilience under pressure

In life

Planning 5 moves ahead

On the board

→

Strategic thinking

In decisions & goals

Controlling emotions after a blunder

On the board

→

Emotional regulation

In conflict & stress

How it works

Serious coaching.
Not a hobby class.

Designed for children ready to be challenged — and parents who want more than vague “development.”

6–8

Students per batch

In most online classes, your child is one of 20–30. Here, the coach knows every student by name, tracks individual progress, and adjusts coaching to that specific child.

Minutes per session

Structured with intention: opening concept, tactical practice, game application, coach review. Long enough to go deep, focused enough to hold complete attention.

2×

Live sessions per week

Enough to build momentum and consistency. Plus weekly Lichess assignments that reinforce what’s covered — learning doesn’t stop when the session ends.

🎥

Every session recorded

Miss a class? Review any session. You always know exactly what’s being taught and how your child is progressing. Full transparency, always.

★

FIDE-rated trainers

Your child isn’t learning from an enthusiast. Rated, experienced coaches trained under Rathish’s methodology — so quality doesn’t vary session to session.

🏆

Lifetime tournaments

Graduates gain lifelong access to weekend tournaments and live masterclasses. For children who want to keep growing, the door stays permanently open.

Not happy after Month 1? Full refund.

If the program isn’t delivering real, visible value after the first month — for any reason — we return every rupee. No process, no conditions.

100% Refund Guarantee

The curriculum

24 sessions. 4 phases.
A clear journey with a real outcome.

Every session exists for a reason. Here’s exactly what your child works through — and why it’s sequenced this way.

Phase One · Month 1

Build the
Foundation

Before tactics, before strategy — your child learns to read the board. Every strong player starts here, no matter their age.

Read the board

Piece values and roles

Purposeful moves

Centre control

First structured game

Phase Two · Month 1–2

Sharpen
Tactics

Pattern recognition. Threats. The moment a child spots what their opponent missed — this is when chess becomes exciting.

Spot patterns and threats

Checks, captures, threats

Forks and pins

Blitz training

Tactical puzzles

Phase Three · Month 2–3

Plan
Strategy

From reacting to deciding. Your child stops responding to threats and starts controlling the game. This is where chess becomes thinking.

Build a strategy

Piece coordination

Control the game

Time management

Full strategy game

Phase Four · Month 3

Finish
Strong

Endgames. Tournament simulation. Learning from losses. The hardest skill in chess — and the most valuable one in life.

Pawn and rook endgames

Learn from losses

Tournament simulation

Full programme review

Certificate awarded

What parents are saying

The proof is what happens
outside the chess class.

“My son has always been smart but impulsive. Three months in, his class teacher actually called me — to say she’d noticed he was taking more time before answering questions. I hadn’t even told her he was doing chess.”

Parent of a 10-year-old · Bengaluru

3 months

📞

Teacher called
to say

“He’s thinking
before he acts”

“We’ve tried coding, maths tutoring, football. Nothing held his attention like this. He genuinely looks forward to every session. And he’s improving — you can see it.”

Monisha · Parent of a 12-year-old

4 months

“The coach knew my daughter’s name, her weaknesses, and her progress every single week. In a group of 6 students, that level of attention was something I didn’t expect.”

Rohith · Parent of a 9-year-old

5 months

Simple, honest pricing

Your child’s first class is free.
After that — no surprises.

Less than the cost of two private tuition sessions a month — with skills that compound for years.

Group Class

Group of 7

₹2,500

per month · 3-month programme

Save ₹7,497

Total: ₹7,500 · Regular ₹4,999/mo

24 live structured sessions — 7 students max

FIDE-rated trainer

Weekly Lichess assignments

Session recordings included

Lifetime tournament access

Book Free Trial →

Small Group

Group of 4

₹3,500

per month · 3-month programme

Save ₹5,997

Total: ₹10,500 · Regular ₹5,999/mo

Everything in Group, plus

More coach attention per child

Customised pace and focus areas

Direct parent progress reports

Lifetime masterclass access

Book Free Trial →

Same programme, same outcomes. The difference is how much focused attention your child receives per session. Both come with the full refund guarantee.

Before you commit

Honest answers.
No sales talk.

My child has never played chess before. Is that okay?+

Completely fine. The programme starts from the foundation and builds systematically. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has played casually, Phase 1 ensures everyone is building on solid ground. No child is left behind in the early sessions.

Is this a serious programme or more of a hobby class?+

It’s serious — but not stressful. Structured, progressive, goal-oriented. Your child will be challenged, held accountable, and expected to think — but always in a supportive environment. If you want something that won’t challenge your child, this probably isn’t it.

How is a group of 6–8 different from a regular online class?+

In most online classes, your child is one of 20–30. They can disappear into the background and no one notices. Here, the coach knows every student by name, tracks individual progress week by week, and adjusts based on what that specific child needs.

My child tried chess before and lost interest. Why would this be different?+

Because most chess programmes teach the game. This one teaches thinking — and children feel that difference. When something makes you better at life, not just at chess, it holds your attention differently. The small group also creates natural accountability.

We’re based outside India. Will timings work?+

Yes. Sessions run mornings, evenings, and weekends across time zones — US, UK, UAE, Singapore, Canada and beyond. Chess is also one of the most powerful ways to keep your child connected to Indian culture. From Anand to Pragg to Gukesh, India owns the chess world right now.

What if my child misses a session?+

Every session is recorded and fully accessible. Your child can review any class they miss, and the coach is informed so they can help your child catch up at the next session without falling behind.

What if it’s not working after Month 1?+

Full refund. No complicated process, no questions. If you don’t see real value after the first month — for any reason — every rupee comes back. That’s not a marketing line. It’s a guarantee of quality.

🏆 Recognition & Rewards

Progress that gets seen — and celebrated.

Effort without recognition is a missed opportunity at this age. Throughout the program, outstanding progress — in thinking, in improvement, in attitude — is acknowledged and celebrated.

Top performers receive Chess With Skills™ awards, delivered directly to their home. Because a physical recognition means something to a child that a notification never will.

Graduates also gain lifelong access to weekend tournaments and live masterclasses — so the learning doesn’t stop when the program ends. For children who want to keep growing, the door stays open.

🏅 Outstanding progress in our group programs is recognised through Chess With Skills awards, delivered directly to the child’s home.

FAQ

What parents want to know before they commit

01. My child has never played chess before. Is that okay?

Completely fine. The program starts from the foundation and builds systematically. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has played casually, Phase 1 ensures everyone is building on solid ground before moving forward.

02. Is this a serious program or more of a hobby class?

It’s serious — but not stressful. The program is structured, progressive, and goal-oriented. Your child will be challenged, held accountable, and expected to think — but always in a supportive environment. This is not a drop-in activity class.

03. How is a group of 6–8 different from a regular class?

In most online classes, your child is one of 20–30. They can disappear. Here, the coach knows every student by name, tracks their individual progress, and adjusts how they’re coached based on what that specific child needs. The small size is not a selling point — it’s the whole model.

04. What if my child misses a session?

Every session is recorded and accessible. Your child can review any class they miss, and coaches are informed so they can help the child catch up at the next session without falling behind.

05. My child tried chess before and lost interest. Why would this be different?

Because most chess programs teach the game. This program teaches thinking — and children feel that difference. The sessions are structured, progressive, and coached by people who know how to keep a 9-year-old genuinely engaged. The small group also creates natural accountability — kids show up because they want to, not because they have to.

06. What is the refund policy?

If after the first full month you don’t see real value, you get a 100% refund. No complicated process. That’s not a marketing line — it’s a guarantee of quality. We’re confident enough in the program to stand behind it completely.

07. Can I observe sessions?

You’re welcome to observe — particularly in the early sessions. We do encourage children to settle into the group dynamic on their own over time, as peer interaction is part of the learning, but there are no restrictions on parental observation.

Admissions are now open

Coach Rathish offers personalized chess coaching for all levels—kids, teens, and adults. 7+ years of experience, proven student success, and a passion for the game.

Chess That Trains How They Think.

Be honest. Does any of
this sound familiar?

Chess skills that transfer
to real life.