If you live in Kensington, London—or anywhere nearby—you probably already know that chess is making a big comeback. Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun and smart activity for your child, or a student trying to master the 64 squares, you’re in the right place.
Online Chess Training
The Landscape of Chess Training in Kensington and Why Online Chess Training is the Right Choice
Kensington is a beautiful and lively place. It’s full of schools, libraries, parks, and some of the most curious young minds you’ll ever meet. That’s why it’s not surprising to see chess growing fast here. It’s the kind of game that fits well in a place like Kensington—smart, challenging, and rewarding.
But while there are a few local chess clubs and coaching centers, many of them still use the same old ways of teaching. A few tables, some boards, and a coach walking from one student to another. Sounds nice, right?
But here’s the problem.
It’s not personal.
Each student is different. Some are fast thinkers. Some like to take their time. Some get shy in groups. Some need more attention. And that’s where offline coaching often falls short. It can’t keep up with how different every child learns.
Also, most local chess programs don’t have a real structure. You just show up and play. Sometimes you learn something. Sometimes you don’t. There’s no clear roadmap. No set plan. No personal progress chart.
And in today’s world, that’s just not enough.
This is where online chess training changes everything.
With online coaching, your child isn’t just playing random games. They’re following a proper curriculum. Lessons are planned. Progress is tracked. Coaches know exactly what your child needs to work on. It’s like having a personal chess teacher in your living room—but better.
Even better? Your child learns from top-level coaches from around the world. Coaches who have played tournaments, won titles, and spent years understanding how young minds learn best.
Online classes also fit easily into your schedule. No rushing through traffic. No late-night pickups. Just log in and learn.
In a place like Kensington where life is busy and time is precious, online chess training just makes more sense.
Now let’s talk about the best part.
How Global School of Chess is the Best Choice When It Comes to Chess Training in Kensington
Let’s not beat around the bush.
If you’re looking for world-class chess training that is simple, clear, and actually fun—Global School of Chess is your answer.
Here’s why.
At Global School of Chess, we believe every student is unique. That’s why we don’t use a one-size-fits-all model. When your child joins, we get to know them. We find out how they think. What they love. Where they struggle. Then, we build a learning plan just for them.
Our classes are live and interactive, not pre-recorded videos. Real coaches. Real students. Real-time learning.
Our coaches? All FIDE-certified. That means they’re approved by the world chess body. They know what they’re doing. More importantly, they know how to teach in a way that makes kids love chess.
We also run bi-weekly online tournaments where students get to test their skills. These aren’t just for winning trophies—they’re for learning how to handle pressure, plan better, and bounce back from mistakes.
And here’s something parents love—we teach life skills too.
Yes, we teach chess. But we also teach patience. Focus. Smart decision-making. Emotional control. Skills your child will use everywhere—school, sports, even relationships.
With students from over 9 countries across 4 continents, we’re more than a chess school. We’re a global family.
And the best part? You can try it absolutely free.
Just sign up for a free trial class. See how your child responds. Ask questions. Meet the coach. No pressure. Just a simple, warm welcome into the world of smart chess learning.
Offline Chess Training
Now let’s talk about something many people still think is the only way to learn chess—offline coaching.
You know the type. It usually happens in a local chess club or a community center. Maybe it’s held in a school classroom after hours. You walk in, see a bunch of kids around a few tables with chess boards on them. One or two coaches walk around, giving advice here and there.
It feels cozy. It feels traditional. And yes, it can be nice.
But here’s the truth—it doesn’t always work that well anymore.
Offline coaching was once the only option. It worked back then. But times have changed. And kids have changed too.
Today’s students learn faster. They ask more questions. They want to understand why, not just what. They need a coach who talks to them, not at them. They need a system that knows what level they’re on and what step comes next.
In most offline settings, it’s hard to get that.
Why?
Because the coach is trying to teach too many kids at once. Everyone’s at a different level. One kid is still learning how pieces move. Another is practicing endgames. Someone else wants to learn openings. But there’s only one or two coaches, and they simply can’t give each student the time they need.
Even worse? There’s usually no real structure. No written plan. No weekly goal. No idea what comes next. Students come, play a few games, listen to a few tips, and go home. That’s not learning. That’s just passing time.
And then there’s travel. Getting to the club. Waiting for class to begin. Driving back home. It all takes time. Time you could have spent doing other things—or learning more chess.
Let’s face it: the world is moving forward. And when it comes to teaching young minds something as deep and exciting as chess, we need to move forward too.
Drawbacks of Offline Chess Training
Now that we’ve looked at what offline coaching is, let’s talk about why it often doesn’t work as well as it should—especially today.
It’s Not Personal
In most offline academies, all students are taught the same way. It doesn’t matter if your child is just starting out or already winning tournaments. Everyone follows the same routine. But we all know—no two kids are the same.
One might be shy and need extra encouragement. Another might be full of questions and want deeper challenges. But in a busy room with one or two coaches and many students, it’s nearly impossible to give that kind of attention.
No Clear Path
Imagine you’re on a journey, but there’s no map. That’s what learning chess in most offline academies feels like. There’s no step-by-step guide. No tracking of progress. No sense of what comes next. So students often get stuck. They plateau. And then, they lose interest. They’re not growing because there’s no clear roadmap guiding them.
Limited Access to Good Coaches
Let’s be honest—great chess coaches are rare. And they’re often busy or far away. Offline coaching limits you to only those coaches who live nearby. What if your perfect coach lives in another country? With offline training, you’d never meet them. But online? You can learn from anyone, anywhere.
Scheduling is a Headache
With schools, homework, and other activities, it’s hard to find time. And getting to the chess class adds even more stress. Rainy day? Traffic jam? Coach is sick? Class canceled. But online classes? They fit right into your life. Just log in from home and start learning.
No Real Tournaments or Competition
Many offline centers don’t offer real tournaments. Or they do, but only a few times a year. And many times, students play the same people over and over again. That’s not real challenge. Online academies—like Global School of Chess—run regular online tournaments with players from all over the world. Your child gets real practice in real games—and learns from every single one.
Missed Classes = Missed Lessons
In an offline class, if you miss a session, it’s gone. There’s no replay. No catch-up. You’re just behind now. But with online training, there are options. Make-up sessions. Extra help. Recorded lessons. Whatever you need to stay on track.
Best Chess Academies in Kensington
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the top 5 chess academies that serve Kensington, London. Some are local. Some are global. But only one stands out as truly the best.
Global School of Chess
If you’re looking for a chess academy that truly changes how your child learns, thinks, and grows—Global School of Chess is your answer.
Let’s take a deep breath and walk through why this academy is not just the best in Kensington, but one of the best anywhere in the world.
Personal Coaching That Really Cares
Every student who joins Global School of Chess is treated like an individual. There’s no group labeling. No general instructions. We begin with a warm introduction. We ask: What do you love about chess? What confuses you? What would you like to get better at?
Then we design a plan that is just for you. Not for the group. Not for the coach’s convenience. Just for you.
Each class is tailored. The coach listens. You talk. You play. You laugh. And most importantly—you learn fast and with joy.
A Real Curriculum That Builds Your Brain
We don’t guess what to teach next.
We follow a clear and structured curriculum that takes you step-by-step through each stage of chess mastery. Starting with how the pieces move, and moving into tactics, strategy, checkmate patterns, opening theory, middlegame plans, and deep endgame ideas.
Everything is built in a sequence. Each lesson builds on the last one. No jumping around. No skipping steps.
This is chess that makes sense.
World-Class Coaches With Real Passion
All of our coaches are FIDE-certified, which means they’ve been approved by the official world chess organization. They’ve played big tournaments. They’ve trained hundreds of students. And they love teaching.
But even more important? They’re kind. Patient. Friendly. And they know how to keep a child smiling and learning—even when the going gets tough.
Your child will not just respect their coach—they’ll look forward to every class.
Live Classes That Make Chess Come Alive
Our classes are live and interactive, not boring videos or silent lessons.
You ask questions. You make moves. The coach shows you what you missed and how to improve. Every class feels like a mini-adventure.
And we keep class sizes small. So your child always gets personal attention.
Tournaments That Make You Stronger
Every two weeks, we host online tournaments where our students face off against other learners from across the globe.
This isn’t just about winning. It’s about learning under pressure. It’s about making good decisions when the clock is ticking. It’s about bouncing back after a loss.
And yes, we celebrate victories. But we also teach how to learn from defeats—because that’s where real growth happens.
A Global Family of Learners
Right now, students from over 9 countries and 4 continents are learning at Global School of Chess. When your child joins, they’re not just joining a class. They’re joining a global community.
They get to meet kids from different countries, hear different accents, see different styles of play. It’s fun. It’s exciting. And it’s something they’ll never forget.
It’s Not Just About Chess
We care about the whole child.
Our coaching helps build:
- Focus: Learn how to sit down, think deeply, and stay on task.
- Patience: Understand that sometimes you have to wait for the right move.
- Confidence: Learn how to win humbly and lose with grace.
- Smart Thinking: See patterns, make plans, and choose the best option—not just the first one.
These are skills your child will use in school, at home, and in life.
And Yes—You Can Try It for Free
We don’t want you to just take our word for it.
We want you to see it for yourself.
👉 Book a free trial class today and experience the Global School of Chess difference.
It’s easy. It’s fun. And it could change everything.
Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club
This club is one of the older names in the London chess scene. Located not too far from Kensington, it attracts players from across the city. They offer club nights where students can play friendly games and take part in tournaments.
While it’s a place with history, it mostly functions as a traditional chess club, not a school. It’s more about casual play and local competition than structured learning. There are no personalized lessons, no online coaching system, and no real curriculum for growing beginners step-by-step.
This might work well for adults or experienced players looking for a few games. But for young learners or beginners who need regular guidance and a clear learning plan, it lacks the foundation that Global School of Chess provides.
Battersea Chess Club
Another well-known club in London, Battersea Chess Club has a reputation for organizing open tournaments and friendly club nights. They’re active on social media and often promote local chess events.
Their focus is more on play than on training. You come in, play a few games, and go home. There are some coaching events, but they are not regular, and there is no clear path for beginners or young learners to grow steadily.
Compared to Global School of Chess, where each student has a personal learning plan, regular class times, and a live coach who tracks progress, Battersea Chess Club feels more like a hobby space than a place to grow your chess skills with purpose.
Chess Rising Stars London Academy
This is a smaller coaching service that offers both group and private chess lessons in parts of London. They do offer online lessons now, especially after the pandemic, and their coaches are known to be skilled.
However, they do not provide the same global reach, tournament setup, or long-term curriculum that Global School of Chess has. Their online classes are mostly arranged on request, and they don’t have a structured global platform that supports learners across all levels with interactive lessons and bi-weekly tournaments.
Also, their student community is smaller, and fewer countries are represented—meaning less exposure and challenge for students who want to meet and learn from others worldwide.
Hampstead Junior Chess Club
Hampstead is another area with a good local chess culture, and this club serves the children in the nearby communities with weekend classes and casual training.
They are good with young kids and introduce chess in a friendly way. But again, the system is mostly local, in-person, and limited to physical attendance.
There’s no global exposure, very little online support, and once your child starts improving, the path to higher levels isn’t very clear. It’s great for beginners who just want to explore chess, but not for serious learners looking to grow beyond the basics.
Why Online Chess Training is the Future
The world is changing. And how we learn must change with it.
Just like schools moved to digital classrooms and music lessons now happen over Zoom, chess training has found its perfect home online. Not because it’s trendy. But because it just works better.
Let’s think about this together.
It Fits Right Into Real Life
We all have busy lives. Parents are working. Kids have school, homework, and activities. Offline training means driving somewhere, sitting through traffic, and adjusting your whole day around a class.
Online chess classes? You just open your laptop and log in.
No traffic. No waiting. No stress.
Your child learns from the comfort of home, at the best time for your schedule.
Better Coaches from All Over the World
In offline classes, you’re limited to who’s nearby. Maybe one or two local coaches. But that’s it.
With online training, your child can learn from top coaches from all over the world—coaches who are experienced, certified, and trained to work with kids in ways that spark interest and love for the game.
And here’s the best part: we handpick these coaches based on not just their skill—but their kindness and ability to connect with kids.
One-on-One Attention Every Time
In many offline classes, your child is just one of many.
But in online classes—especially at Global School of Chess—your child gets real attention. They’re not just another name in the room. The coach knows them. Tracks their progress. Supports them when they’re stuck. And cheers them on when they grow.
Every student matters here. Every move is watched. Every mistake becomes a moment of learning.
Real-Time Progress Tracking
We don’t guess how your child is doing.
We know.
With smart tools and detailed records, we track every lesson, every game, every breakthrough. You as a parent get updates. Your child sees their own growth.
It’s not about just playing more. It’s about learning smarter.
Safe, Positive, and Uplifting
Chess is more than a game. It’s a journey.
And we make sure your child is on a path that feels fun, exciting, and safe. Our online environment is carefully built to be free from pressure, negativity, or judgment.
Every child is welcomed. Every mistake is okay. Every win is celebrated.
Worldwide Community, Right at Home
Your child will play and learn with students from many countries—India, the UK, the U.S., Australia, and beyond. They’ll see how chess looks in different cultures. They’ll meet new friends. They’ll face new challenges.
And they’ll do all of this from their own living room.
Online chess training doesn’t just teach your child how to move pawns and bishops—it teaches them how to connect with the world.
And no one does this better than Global School of Chess.
How Global School of Chess Leads the Online Chess Training Landscape
We’ve talked about why online chess training is better. But let’s take a close look at why Global School of Chess is leading the way—not just in Kensington, not just in the UK, but all around the world.
We’re not just another online academy. We are a place where students grow in ways that go beyond the chessboard.
It Starts with Heart
Every student matters to us. We’re not here to just teach moves. We’re here to build confidence, curiosity, and calm thinking. Our coaches know how to make every child feel special, no matter their level or background.
We talk to parents. We guide families. We make sure learning chess fits smoothly into everyday life.
This personal care is what makes us stand out. It’s why families stay with us for years. It’s why our students don’t just become better players—they become better thinkers.
A Curriculum That Grows with Your Child
We’ve created a step-by-step roadmap that takes students from beginner to advanced in the smartest, clearest way possible. Each lesson is part of a plan. Every class has a goal. Each game is a lesson.
We don’t leave things to chance. Our coaches know what to teach next. Our students always know what they’re learning and why.
It’s chess learning that feels like a journey—with milestones, victories, and clear direction.
Live, Interactive, and Real
Forget boring videos or one-sided lectures.
Our classes are live, fun, and full of energy. Students ask questions. Coaches challenge them with puzzles. Everyone plays, talks, and learns together.
And because our class sizes are small, each student is seen and supported.
We keep things real-time and real human—just like learning should be.
Regular Tournaments to Practice Under Pressure
Every two weeks, we hold online tournaments that help students play under pressure, test what they’ve learned, and face new opponents from around the world.
These events teach resilience, focus, and sportsmanship.
And win or lose, every student gets feedback, so they keep improving.
Global Family. Local Feel.
Yes, we have students in over nine countries and across four continents. But our approach still feels local and personal.
Whether you’re in Kensington or Kentucky, India or Ireland, your child gets the care, support, and guidance that feels close to home.
We make online learning feel warm, human, and connected.
Free Trial Class to Start Your Journey
Still wondering if Global School of Chess is the right fit?
We totally understand. That’s why we offer a free trial class. No payment. No pressure. Just a friendly welcome to see how we teach, how your child learns, and how it all feels.
👉 Click here to book your free class now
Try it once. Feel the difference. We’re confident you’ll want to stay.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing the right chess academy isn’t just about learning how the knight moves or memorizing an opening. It’s about choosing a place where your child can grow—step by step—not just as a chess player, but as a thinker, a decision-maker, and a person.