Make the 1st Move of your child's
Chess journey with Upstep Academy!

Certification & Inspiration by
GM Viswanathan Anand
Five-time World Chess Champion
Make the 1st Move of your child's Chess journey with Upstep Academy!
Certification & Inspiration by
GM Viswanathan Anand
Five-time World Chess Champion
We are Your Ultimate Chess Partner: Here’s Why!

Certified by GM Viswanathan Anand
Earn Level completion certificate Signed & inspired
by the 5-time World Chess Champion.

Live, Personalized & Engaging Classes
Interactive sessions tailored to
your child’s learning pace.

Scientifically Structured Curriculum
Developed through years of expertise for
steady learning and success.

World’s #1 Online Chess Academy
Shaping young minds through chess, loved by
students and trusted by parents.

Expert Chess Coaches
Internationally experienced & skilled coaches
guiding your child to success.

Dedicated Relationship Manager
Seamless learning support for
parents and students.
Scientifically Developed & Structured Curriculum
With years of experience, feedback, and proven results, we have meticulously developed a structured curriculum consisting of Five Foundation levels followed by Master Level training.
Even a child who completes just the Beginner Level will know more about chess than an average adult who plays it as a hobby with family and friends.

1. Beginner Level
Introduce your child to chess and its incredible possibilities. By the end, they’ll know how to play by international rules and apply basic strategies.
2. Advanced Beginner Level
Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.
3. Intermediate Level
Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.
4. Advanced Part 1
Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.
5. Advanced Part 2
Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.
Master & Pro Master Level
A structured pathway to achieving an international chess rating, preparing students for competitive success.
1. Beginner Level
Introduce your child to chess and its incredible possibilities. By the end, they’ll know how to play by international rules and apply basic strategies.
2. Advanced Beginner Level
Practical guidance to defeat amateur players. Students will master tactics and openings to gain a strong foundation.
3. Intermediate Level
Develop a solid understanding of endgames, opening theory, and strategic gameplay.
4. Advanced Part 1
Elevate to a professional level with an in-depth mastery of advanced tactics.
5. Advanced Part 2
Learn to analyze and gain insights from games played by World Chess Champions.
Master & Pro Master Level
A structured pathway to achieving an international chess rating, preparing students for competitive success.
Inspiring Journeys of Our Students, One Move at a Time

Achieved a 310-Point Rating Surge in Just 8 Months
Kiet Nguyen, Australia
A dedicated and fearless competitor, 13-year-old Kiet has shown phenomenal progress by climbing f rom 1655 in January 2025 to 1965 by August 2025 — a massive +310 FIDE Classical rating jump!
🏆 Secured +258 rating points in just 4 months (April–August 2025), reflecting consistency and fearless play against stronger opposition.
🌟 Demonstrated relentless dedication through regular tournament participation and steady training.
🔥 Closing in on the 2000 rating milestone , making a strong statement of intent that he’s just getting started.

The Only U-7 Girl in the World with FIDE Ratings Across All Formats
Shreyanshi Jain, Rajasthan – India
Holds FIDE ratings in all three formats—Classical, Rapid, and Blitz—making her the only Under-7 girl in the world with such a distinction as of February 2025.
- Under-7 Girls National School Chess Champion with a flawless 9/9 score.
- Chessbase India Awarded a signed DVD by GM Gukesh D for her extraordinary feat.
- Continues the legacy of GM Gukesh D, who achieved the same milestone in 2017.

11-Year-Old FIDE Master with a FIDE Rating of 2346
Reyaansh Chakrabarty, Sydney – Australia
A prodigious talent, Reyaansh is making waves in the chess world with his extraordinary achievements at just 11 years old!
- Holds a FIDE rating of 2346 and the prestigious title of FIDE Master.
- Holds the title of Australian National U16 Chess Champion 2024, dominating players years older than him.
- Clinched bronze at the U10 FIDE World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.
- Among the youngest players in history to defeat a Grandmaster.

The Undefeated Hat-Trick Champion of MSSA Chess
Nirvaan Shah, Mumbai – India
A 10-year-old chess prodigy, Nirvaan has achieved an extraordinary feat of winning three consecutive MSSA Chess titles (2022, 2023, 2024), standing undefeated throughout!
- Won 24 games, drew 3, and lost none across three editions of MSSA Chess.
- Triumphed in the Under-12 section this year with an impressive 8.5/9 score.

FIDE-Rated at Just 5 and Growing Strong
Kushaagra Agrawal, Gorakhpur – India
A young chess enthusiast with remarkable achievements, Kushaagra has been turning heads with his impressive start in the chess world at just 5 years old!
- Achieved a Rapid FIDE Rating of 1428, becoming one of the youngest-rated players in India.
- Emerged as the top Under-5 performer at the National Schools U7 Championship 2024 with 5/9 points in his debut tournament.

Achieved a 305-Point Rating Leap in Just 2 Months
Vedant Nayudu, Singapore
Vedant has made an incredible leap in his chess journey, raising his FIDE Classical rating by 305 points in just two months!
- Gained 73 points at the Singapore International Open, battling higher-rated opponents.
- Secured a remarkable 146-point boost at the Xmas Basel Festival in Switzerland, with a draw against a FIDE Master.
- Added another 86 points at the Rilton Cup, competing against players averaging over 1700.

Indian U11 National Schools Champion 2024
Rishen Jilowa, Rajasthan – India
A rising star, Rishen showcased dominance and determination to clinch the Indian U11 National Schools 2024 Chess Championship in style!
- Crowned National Schools Champion with an unbeaten score of 8/9, finishing a full point ahead.
- Achieved a massive 110-point FIDE rating gain
Don't Take Our Word for It - Hear from Parents!
Forget the research and our claims. Trust in the experiences of parents just like you.
Read their reviews to learn how chess has positively influenced their children’s lives.
EXCELLENT Based on 2223 reviews Dakshta Negi2025-08-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My child began his chess journey at Upstep Academy as a beginner and has since developed into an advanced-level player. The recent GAP program excited my kid to see the Grandmaster and patiently listened to the tips. Thank you so much for organizing these sessions; they are motivating him. I highly recommend Upstep Academy to anyone seeking to introduce their children to chess. vijitha's world2025-08-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son is learning at Upstep Chess Academy, and we are so happy with the experience! The coaches are excellent, and a big thanks to Syed for his prompt responses and constant support. He makes everything easy and smooth for us. Highly recommend! ♟️⭐ Ramya Radio Active2025-08-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My daughter has been learning at Upstep Academy, and I couldn’t be happier with her progress. The coach is not only skilled but also patient, encouraging, and truly dedicated to each student’s growth. I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in her confidence, strategy, and love for the game. They focus on building strong fundamentals while also training children for higher-level competitions. The learning environment is positive, disciplined, and inspiring — exactly what young minds need. A special mention to the relationship manager Radhika for her support and guidance. If you’re looking for a chess academy that blends professional coaching with personal attention, I highly recommend Upstep Academy. They don’t just teach moves; they nurture a chess mindset. ♟️ Santhi Alaparthi2025-08-14Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Arnab has been teaching Saket since 2023, and the improvement in Saket’s game has been remarkable. Saket genuinely enjoys Arnab’s teaching style, which is both clear and motivating. His sessions are well-structured, and he helped Saket grow in confidence and develop a deeper understanding of chess strategy.Arnab is very friendly and patient, creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. He is great at adapting his teaching to suit Saket’s pace and needs, and his ability to improvise and explain complex positions in a simple way has made a big difference.We truly appreciate Arnab’s commitment and the positive impact he has had on Saket’s chess journey. Truong Nguyen2025-08-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve had such a great experience with the chess coaching! The coaches are super friendly and make learning fun for kids. The training materials are easy to follow and really engaging, and I’ve already noticed how much my child has improved in both skills and confidence. Highly recommend for any young chess players! Pavnesh Kumaarr Sharrma2025-08-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. "Learning chess with Coach Pratish Raj has been an incredible experience! His teaching style is clear, patient, and very engaging. He explains complex strategies in a simple way that’s easy to understand, and he makes every lesson exciting with practical examples and real-game scenarios. I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my son's game — from opening principles to endgame techniques. He’s always encouraging, gives personalized feedback, and truly cares about his students’ progress. If you’re looking for an online chess coach who is both knowledgeable and inspiring, I highly recommend Pratish Raj!" Shivani2025-08-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My Son has learnt and improved tremendously in chess. His interest and curiosity is growing in the game. Wonderful experience improves our attention span . We have seen a remarkable improvement. Thanks to upstep academy! Supraja Gokaraju2025-08-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son has been taking chess lessons with Upstep for 4-5 months now, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the progress he’s made. His coach Trupti is really exceptional and truly understands how to connect with young learners. She has a patient and encouraging teaching style, always explaining concepts clearly. My son has improved significantly in his playing ability. I highly recommend Trupti to any parent looking for an effective chess teacher. We’re very grateful to have found such a positive influence in our son’s chess journey! And I’d like to also express my appreciation for the great support provided by Relationship Manager Vinay. He handled scheduling and communication with great efficiency, and always quick to respond to any questions or concerns. Truly appreciate the professionalism and care they bring to their work. Highly recommended!
Enrolment Process
Demo Class
Level Assessment
Counselling Session
Enrolment
Enrolment Process
1st
Demo Class
2nd
Level Assessment
3rd
Counselling Session
4th
Enrolment
All you need for
FREE Demo Class is
- A Device: Laptop | Desktop | Tablet | Smart Phone
- Willingness to learn & play
- Good internet connection
The Objective of our demo is to assess your child’s Chess level, give you an experience of our online Chess class, and also show you the format in which chess is taught online by our well-experienced coaches

- Age Group : 5 to 15 Years
- Interactive Live One-on-one Demo Class
- 20 Minutes Demo Session
Research Reveals Chess Can Boost Grades by Up to 20%!
Scroll through the other Research-Backed Benefits
of Chess Beyond the Board.

Chess Increases Creativity
Unleash your creative genius!
Playing chess activates the brain’s right hemisphere, sparking originality and imaginative problem-solving. A four-year study by Robert Ferguson involving students (grades 7 to 9) revealed that chess players showed the highest growth in originality compared to other activities..
Increases Problem-Solving Skills
Life is full of challenges, and chess is the ultimate training ground for solving them.
A 1992 New Brunswick (Canada) study split 450 students into three groups: Group A followed the standard math curriculum, Group B added chess instruction after first grade, and Group C started chess lessons from first grade alongside math.
Remarkably, Group C’s scores skyrocketed from 62% to 81.2%, outperforming Group A by 21.46%!
Exercises both sides of the brain
Think of chess as a full-brain workout that strengthens your mind from every angle.
A German study compared the brain activity of chess experts and novices, revealing that experienced players activate both hemispheres to process patterns and calculate moves faster. This dual-brain engagement leads to improved logical reasoning, visual-spatial skills, and the ability to multitask effectively.
Chess Improves Memory
Do you often wish your child had a better memory or was more organized? Chess might be the answer!
Studies have shown that chess players develop stronger memory skills, as the game requires them to remember moves, anticipate patterns, and plan strategies several steps ahead.
A 1985 study demonstrated that students who played chess for two years improved their grades in all subjects and exhibited better memory and organizational skills, as observed by their teachers.
Chess Helps Manage ADHD Symptoms
For children struggling with focus and attention, chess can work wonders. A 2016 study revealed that chess helped children with ADHD reduce inattentiveness by 41%, as it requires sustained concentration and thoughtful decision-making.
Parents of children with ADHD often notice significant improvements in their ability to focus for longer periods, stay calm under pressure, and develop self-discipline. By engaging in a structured and stimulating game like chess, children can channel their energy into something productive and rewarding.
Chess Promotes Brain Growth and Neural Connections
What if a simple game could physically grow your child’s brain? Studies suggest that playing chess stimulates the growth of dendrites—branch-like structures in the brain that transmit information between neurons.
When your child plays chess, they’re essentially working out their brain. The result? An increase in the brain’s ability to process and adapt to information.
Over time, this enhanced brain activity leads to better decision-making, faster reflexes, and an improved ability to tackle complex challenges.