LearnChess Academy

Tomorrow’s the day! ♟️💚

We’re really looking forward to joining Mid Kent Mind tomorrow for our Learn, Play & Challenge Summer Chess workshops in Maidstone.

Our coaching team has been getting everything ready for two sessions full of chess learning, puzzles, challenges and guided games, and most importantly, plenty of opportunities for the children and young people attending to enjoy playing together.

📅 Wednesday 19th August
📍 Mid Kent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Maidstone
👦 Ages 8–11: 10am–12pm
🧑 Ages 12–18: 1pm–3pm

A big thank you to Mid Kent Mind for inviting us to be part of the day. We can’t wait to meet everyone!

There may still be a small number of free places available. Registration is managed directly by Mid Kent Mind, so please check their latest booking information if you would like to join us!!

Chess is much more than learning how the pieces move 💙

At its best, chess creates a space where children can slow down, think, make decisions, solve problems, practise patience and connect with other people over a shared activity.

Those are some of the reasons we are so pleased to be working with Mid Kent Mind for our upcoming Learn, Play & Challenge workshops.

The aim of the day is to use the game we love as a positive, social and engaging activity where young people can learn, challenge themselves and enjoy time with others in a supportive environment.

We also want to recognise Mid Kent Mind for creating opportunities like this for local children and young people and for bringing organisations together around community wellbeing.

On Wednesday 19th August, our coaches will be delivering two free workshops at the Mid Kent Mind Wellbeing Centre in Maidstone:

👦 Ages 8–11: 10am–12pm
🧑 Ages 12–18: 1pm–3pm

We’re proud to be part of it and very much looking forward to the day.

If places are still available, registration is managed directly by Mid Kent Mind (please check their latest event information for booking details)

Bookings are now open for the new Beckenham & Bromley Junior Chess Club. ♟️

Delivered by LearnChess Academy in partnership with Beckenham and Bromley Chess Club, the club will offer children a structured and welcoming place to learn, practise and enjoy chess.

📅 FREE Taster: Wednesday 16 September 2026
🕕 6:15–7:15 pm
📍 The Parklangley Club, 44a Wickham Way, Beckenham, BR3 3AF

Sessions will combine clear coaching, guided challenges and supervised games, with activities adapted to the children attending. Complete beginners and experienced young players are welcome.

Parents and guardians can register through our Google Form: https://forms.gle/S2TRb5ppGFdeNNta9

Our team will then contact you to confirm the FREE Taster place.

We’re delighted to announce a new partnership between LearnChess Academy and Beckenham and Bromley Chess Club

Together, we are preparing to launch the Beckenham & Bromley Junior Chess Club, delivered by LearnChess Academy.

This partnership brings together LCA’s structured approach to junior coaching with the knowledge, history and local chess community of Beckenham & Bromley Chess Club.

Our shared aim is to give young players a welcoming place to learn, play, develop their skills and enjoy being part of a wider chess community, with a clear pathway that can grow with them.

More launch information will follow shortly. Parents and guardians who would like to hear when booking details are released can message LearnChess Academy now to register their interest.

What happens at a Learn, Play & Challenge workshop?

On Wednesday 19th August, LearnChess Academy will be joining Mid Kent Mind in Maidstone for two free chess workshops for children and young people aged 8–18.

The idea is simple: make chess welcoming, engaging and fun!!

Across the workshops, children can expect:

♟️ Friendly, interactive chess learning
🧩 Puzzles and thinking challenges
🎯 Fun chess-based activities
🤝 Guided games with support from our coaching team
💡 Opportunities to learn new ideas and put them into practice straight away

There is no need to be an experienced player. Complete beginners are very welcome, and developing players will also have plenty to get stuck into.

📅 Wednesday 19th August
📍 Mid Kent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Maidstone
👦 Ages 8–11: 10am–12pm
🧑 Ages 12–18: 1pm–3pm

Places are free and registration is managed directly by Mid Kent Mind.

♟️ FREE SUMMER CHESS WORKSHOPS IN MAIDSTONE ♟️

We’re delighted to be partnering with Mid Kent Mind to deliver two FREE Learn, Play & Challenge chess workshops this summer!

📅 Wednesday 19th August
📍 Mid Kent Mind Wellbeing Centre, Maidstone

👦 Ages 8–11: 10am–12pm
🧑 Ages 12–18: 1pm–3pm

The sessions are designed for complete beginners and developing players as well, with a fun mix of chess learning, puzzles, challenges and guided games led by the LearnChess Academy coaching team.

Places are already filling quickly. Mid Kent Mind has currently advised us that there are only 4 spaces remaining for the 8–11 workshop and 10 spaces remaining for the 12–18 workshop.

Places are FREE and offered on a first come, first served basis.

👉 All bookings are managed directly by Mid Kent Mind!

We’re really looking forward to bringing Learn, Play & Challenge to Maidstone this August!

A mistake on the chessboard can feel enormous in the moment.

But the learning often begins just after it.

At LearnChess Academy our students practise three useful responses:

1. Pause: avoid turning one mistake into two.
2. Understand: what changed, and what was missed?
3. Reset: choose the best next move from the position that remains.

That is not just chess advice. It is a practical way to build resilience: acknowledge the problem, learn from it and keep going.

Save this for your child’s next game.

Tactical Titans is nearly here.

Across Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 July, children will have two structured days of coaching, tactical challenges, face-to-face games and positive competition, with time to learn alongside other young players.

It is designed to be engaging, supportive and properly organised: chess is the medium, but confidence, focus and resilience are part of the outcome too.

Tactical Titans Summer Camp
28–29 July 2026
11:00am–4:00pm
Kings Hill Primary School

Register here: https://forms.gle/Phww3jjC3rVgQnFp8

One of the most valuable habits children can build through chess is the pause before they move.

That pause gives them a moment to look carefully, consider what has changed and choose with intention.

It may only last a few seconds on the board, but it is real practice in focus, planning and independent thinking.

A useful question to try at home is: “What do you notice?”

It encourages children to slow down without telling them what to do, and helps them take ownership of the next decision.

An online chess tournament can feel exciting, unfamiliar and sometimes emotional for young players.

For many children, this Sunday’s Casual Online Arena may be their first experience of tournament pairings, a chess clock and playing against students they have not met before.

Parents can make a real difference to how that experience feels.

A few simple ways to support your child:

♟️ Help them prepare their login, device and playing space before the first round
♟️ Encourage them to think independently and make their own decisions on the board
♟️ Support with technical issues, but do not suggest moves or analyse positions during games
♟️ Praise effort, patience, resilience and sportsmanship, not only results
♟️ After a difficult game, stay calm, listen first and give them time to reset
♟️ Encourage kind, respectful use of the tournament chat so students can connect positively with fellow LCA players

The Arena is not only about who wins.

It's an opportunity for students to take their first steps into competition, build confidence, learn how to respond to difficult moments and feel part of the wider LearnChess Academy community.

Our Casual Online Arena takes place tomorrow.

Need help accessing your child’s LCA account? Please message us today.