What Your Child Needs for an Online Chess Class

By Lalit Akhade, Founder & Head Coach, ChessMates Academy · Published 2026-10-09 · 6 min read

Parents often ask us a simple question before the first online chess class: "What do we actually need?" The good news is that the answer is short. You do not need a fancy computer, an expensive chess set, or a dedicated study room. You need a few basics, set up well, so your child can focus on the game instead of fighting with the screen.

Here is a practical checklist, based on what we see in real classes.

The Device: Bigger Is Better, But Not Fancy

A chessboard has 64 squares and small pieces. On a phone screen, those pieces become tiny, and a child can easily mis-click and drop a piece on the wrong square. That is frustrating for anyone, and especially for a seven-year-old.

Best: a laptop or desktop with a screen of 13 inches or more.
Good: a tablet, ideally placed in a stand so it does not wobble.
Avoid if you can: a phone as the main screen. It works in an emergency, but it makes seeing the board, the coach, and the lesson all at once very hard.

Your child will also use the same device to see the coach's demonstrations. A larger screen means they can follow a tactic being explained without squinting.

Internet: Stable Matters More Than Fast

Chess does not need much bandwidth. What it needs is a connection that does not drop. A lesson that keeps freezing breaks a child's train of thought, and young players lose their momentum quickly.

A few simple habits help:

Sit close to the router, or use a cable if possible.
Ask other family members to pause big downloads or streaming during class.
Do a quick test the day before by joining a video call with a relative.
Keep a phone hotspot ready as a back-up.

If your connection does fail mid-class, do not panic. Rejoin and tell the coach. Good coaches will simply pick up where you left off.

Headphones, Sound and a Quiet Corner

You do not need professional equipment. A simple pair of headphones with a built-in microphone is often enough, and it helps in two ways. The child hears the coach clearly, and household noise stays out of the lesson.

For the space itself, think "calm" rather than "perfect." A table where the screen sits at eye level, a chair with back support, and a spot away from the television are plenty. If a younger child's feet do not reach the floor, a small stool makes a surprising difference to how long they can sit comfortably.

Do You Need a Physical Chess Set?

It is not required, but it is helpful. Many children enjoy moving real pieces after class to replay a position or practise a pattern they just learned. Seeing the board in three dimensions can also help beginners understand how pieces relate to each other.

If you want to buy one, keep it simple:

A standard-size board with clear coloured squares.
Pieces that are easy to tell apart, with a clearly shaped knight and bishop.
Nothing too precious. Pieces will be dropped, and that is part of the fun.

If you have not bought a set yet, there is no need to rush. Many families start online only and add a physical board a few weeks in, once their child shows steady interest.

Accounts, Apps and Safety

Most online classes ask children to play on a chess website or app. A few points are worth checking before you start:

Ask the academy which platform they use and why.
Check what chat or messaging options the platform allows. Chess.com's help centre explains that its Safe Mode turns off messages, chat and comments, and that it is switched on by contacting Support.
Lichess, on the other hand, describes itself as free, open source and without ads, and says it will never sell user data.
Create the account together, and agree on simple rules, such as playing only with people you know unless a parent is nearby.

For more depth, our guide to safe online chess platforms for children walks through what to look for. And if you are wondering how apps compare to a live teacher, read chess apps vs live classes for kids.

A Five-Minute Pre-Class Routine

Setting a tiny routine before every class removes most last-minute stress. Try this:

Charge the device and close other apps.
Join the class link two to three minutes early.
Do a quick sound check.
Keep water and a notebook nearby.
Let your child sit down already warmed up, perhaps with one puzzle.

A notebook might seem old-fashioned, but it is useful. Children can jot down a move they liked or a question to ask the coach next time. Over a few months, that notebook becomes a lovely record of how their thinking has grown.

How Much Should a Parent Be Involved?

This depends on age. For children around five to seven, it helps to stay nearby for the first few lessons, mainly for technical help. By eight or nine, many kids prefer to take charge. Aim to be available, not hovering.

After the lesson, a simple question works better than "Did you win?" Try "What was the best move you made today?" or "What did the coach teach you?" This reinforces the idea that learning matters more than results. If you are unsure how long a session should last, see how long a kids' online chess class should be.

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

Child keeps mis-clicking pieces. Use a larger screen or a mouse instead of a trackpad. Some platforms also have a "confirm move" setting.
Child gets distracted by other tabs. Close everything except the class window.
Sound echoes. Use headphones.
Child feels shy on camera. That is normal. Good coaches ease children in with games and gentle questions rather than putting them on the spot.

What to Ask the Academy Before You Start

Whichever academy you choose, a few questions will tell you a lot about how well they run their online classes:

What device and internet do students need?
What happens if a student misses or loses connection during class?
How many children are in each group?
Can we see the curriculum, so we know where lessons are heading?

You can see how we structure our learning path on our curriculum page, meet the coaches, and read our FAQs. If you are comparing costs, our pricing page lays out the options clearly.

A Gentle Next Step

Setting up for online chess takes about fifteen minutes, and then it becomes part of your weekly routine. A decent screen, a steady connection, headphones, and a calm corner will take your child a long way. The real learning happens in the conversation between your child and their coach.

If you would like to see how it feels in practice, ChessMates offers a free trial class. Your child meets a coach, plays a few positions, and you get to check that your setup works, with no pressure to sign up. You can also read our tips on how to prepare for a free trial chess class. When you are ready, book a free trial class.