LearnChess Academy

LearnChess Academy We partner with schools, parents, and chess clubs to provide the ultimate chess experience for kids.

“I'm bored of chess.” If you've heard it, you're not alone, and it doesn't have to mean the end. As the new term settles...
05/10/2026

“I'm bored of chess.” If you've heard it, you're not alone, and it doesn't have to mean the end. As the new term settles in, here are five gentle things to try:

1. Listen first. Is it the chess, or is your child tired after a long day at school?
2. Change how you play. Try a puzzle, a pawn-only game (first pawn to reach the far side wins), or ask them to teach you something.
3. Keep it short. Ten minutes can be plenty.
4. Play together. You don't need to be good at chess. Being curious is enough.
5. Allow a rest. Taking a break is okay, and interest can come back.

The aim is to keep chess something your child chooses, not something they feel made to do.

Save this for a flat week, and follow us for more ideas for parents.

"Did you win?" is a natural question after chess club or a tournament. But it only has two answers, and one of them can ...
03/10/2026

"Did you win?" is a natural question after chess club or a tournament. But it only has two answers, and one of them can end the conversation.

Next time, try one of these:

"What was your best move today?"
"Was there a moment you had to think really hard?"
"What would you do differently next time?"

These questions help children reflect on their decisions, notice their own effort and treat mistakes as something to learn from. Those are exactly the skills chess is good at building.

Winning is fun, and we celebrate it. But the thinking behind the moves is what stays with them.

Fun first. Thinking always.

Save this for the next car ride home, and follow us for more ways to support your child.

Before every move, look for three things.Children often lose games because they move quickly, not because they don't kno...
01/10/2026

Before every move, look for three things.

Children often lose games because they move quickly, not because they don't know enough. One habit makes a big difference: a short pause to check the position before touching a piece.

Checks: can I check the king, and can my opponent check mine?
Captures: what can I take, and what could be taken from me?
Threats: what is my opponent planning, and what can I attack?

At first it takes a while. With practice it becomes a quick scan. Children also start to slow down and think ahead in other places, not only at the board.

Try it at home: at your next game, ask your child to say "checks, captures, threats" out loud before each move for a few turns.

Chess is the medium. Development is the outcome.

Save this for your next game at home, and follow us for more ways to support your child.

The LCA Online Arena returns!!The 2nd LearnChess Academy Online Arena Rivals takes place on Saturday 19 September, bring...
12/09/2026

The LCA Online Arena returns!!

The 2nd LearnChess Academy Online Arena Rivals takes place on Saturday 19 September, bringing LCA students from across our schools and junior clubs together for another serious test of skill, focus and decision-making.

🏆 Cash prizes for 1st–5th
💷 £150 prize pool at 30+ entrants
♟ 6-round Swiss | 15+1
💻 Played on the LearnChess Academy Coaching Platform
🔒 Exclusively for LCA Members

Think ahead. Stay focused. Enjoy the challenge.

📅 Saturday 19 September 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Register now:
https://forms.gle/HmJXhVJakieRPGBj6

British chess has just seen a remarkable group of young players make headlines.Shreyas Royal, aged 17, became the younge...
22/08/2026

British chess has just seen a remarkable group of young players make headlines.

Shreyas Royal, aged 17, became the youngest-ever British Champion. Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, became the youngest-ever British Women’s Champion, while 12-year-old Supratit Banerjee also produced a major result soon afterwards.

The story is bigger than age records. It shows what can happen when young players have access to challenge, coaching, competition and the chance to keep learning over time.

At LearnChess Academy, we want children to enjoy chess at every level, whether they are learning their first moves, building confidence in a club or preparing for competition.

The goal is not to turn every child into a champion. The goal is to help every child make progress from where they are.

Tomorrow’s the day! ♟️💚We’re really looking forward to joining Mid Kent Mind tomorrow for our Learn, Play & Challenge Su...
18/08/2026

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, t...
14/08/2026

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 partnershi...
14/08/2026

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, ...
11/08/2026

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...
07/08/2026

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.

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Maidstone

Telephone

+448081236464

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