Help Your Child Think Better, Focus Longer, and Gain Confidence

Through fun, small-group chess lessons taught by National Master Ernest Colding.

Every Sunday • 521 Halsey Street • Brooklyn

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by thousands of families for over 40 years.

Through fun, small-group chess lessons taught by National Master Ernest Colding.

Every Sunday • 521 Halsey Street • Brooklyn

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trusted by thousands of families for over 40 years.

Enrollment Now Open

Sunday Chess Academy

Live, small-group chess instruction in Brooklyn for children who are ready to learn, improve and compete with confidence.

Every Sunday • 521 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233

Give Your Child More Than a Chess Class

Our structured 10-week academy helps children build concentration, confidence, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and good sportsmanship through live chess instruction.

Classes are taught by National Master Ernest Colding, who has more than 40 years of experience helping children become stronger chess players and better thinkers.

10 live Sunday classes
National Master instruction
Maximum 10 students per class
Structured skill-level placement
Tournament preparation
Graduation celebration

🎁 FREE Jess's Chess Adventure Membership

Every enrolled student receives free access to Jess's Chess Adventure, where children can continue learning at home with videos, stories, games, activities and chess challenges.

Sunday Chess Academy beginner, intermediate and advanced live chess classes in Brooklyn

Choose the Right Academy Level

Each student joins the class that best matches their current chess experience. All three programs include live instruction and free access to Jess's Chess Adventure.

Beginner Level

Beginner Academy

A welcoming introduction for children who are new to chess or still developing a strong foundation.

  • Time: Sundays, 12:45 PM–1:45 PM
  • Program: 10 live weekly classes
  • Class size: Maximum 10 students
  • Bonus: Free Jess's Chess Adventure
$250 Complete 10-week program
Enroll in Beginner Academy

Intermediate Level

Intermediate Academy

For students who know the rules and are ready to improve their strategy, tactics and tournament confidence.

  • Time: Sundays, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM
  • Program: 10 live weekly classes
  • Class size: Maximum 10 students
  • Bonus: Free Jess's Chess Adventure
$250Complete 10-week program
Enroll in Intermediate Academy

Advanced Level

Advanced Academy

Advanced training for experienced students who are serious about improving their tournament performance.

  • Time: Sundays, 3:15 PM–4:45 PM
  • Program: 10 live weekly classes
  • Class size: Maximum 10 students
  • Bonus: Free Jess's Chess Adventure
$250 Complete 10-week program
Enroll in Advanced Academy

Only 10 Students Accepted Per Class

Small classes allow every child to receive individual attention, guidance and encouragement. Select the appropriate academy level above to reserve your child's place.

Free Jess's Chess Adventure membership included
Chess for Children online chess lessons, private chess lessons, and school chess programs taught by National Master Ernest Colding
👑

Welcome to the Magical Chessboard
Kingdom

Magical chess adventures, lovable characters, exciting puzzles, and story-driven lessons designed especially for children ages 4–12.

From first moves to brilliant checkmates, every child can build confidence, creativity, focus, and critical thinking through chess.

♕ Start Your Chess Adventure

♜ Story-Driven
Chess Adventures

Fun lessons and lovable characters make learning chess magical for children.

♙ Build Skills
for Life

Confidence, focus, creativity, and strategic thinking — all through chess.

More Than 40 Years of Helping Children Succeed

National Master Ernest Colding has taught more than 10,000 children, coached 30+ national champions, and helped families discover the lifelong benefits of chess.

 ♔ 40+ Years Teaching Children
🏆 30+ National Champions
🎓 10,000+ Children Taught
♟️ National Master, Author & Educator
🌟 Featured in Searching for Bobby Fischer

From teaching hundreds of children each day in New York City public schools to coaching more than 30 national champions, Ernest Colding has spent over 40 years helping children build confidence, focus, and critical thinking through chess.

  years teaching chess 

Schools Served

Children Taught

National Champions
Biruk, Chess for Children student
“ Chess taught Biruk strategic thinking, persistence, patience, and the value of hard work. She and her teammates went on to win 2nd Place at the National Chess Tournament in Dallas. I’ve been blown away by this program.
— Agnes, Biruk’s Parent
PS/MS 282
Masai, Chess for Children student
“ Masai was accepted into his top choice school, in some part, because they were eager to have a player with his skills.
— Kimtoya, Masai’s Parent
PS/MS 282
Maya, Chess for Children student
“ With the help of the incredible Mr. C, she has learned important life lessons — how to overcome failures, and how to be resourceful and determined.
— Neot, Maya’s Parent
PS/MS 282
Gregory, Chess for Children student
“ Chess has been a major catalyst that has enhanced Gregory’s emotional, social, and psychological growth and development.
— J. Gregory Sr., Gregory’s Parent
PS/MS 282
Read More Parent Reviews →

Choose Your Chess Adventure

Every young chess hero starts somewhere. Choose the adventure that's right for your child.

Chess Mastermind Club

Join Magnus the Checkmate Detective on a monthly chess adventure filled with puzzles, mysteries, and exciting challenges.

 Train with Mr. C

Personalized coaching from National Master Ernest Colding. Build confidence, improve thinking skills, and reach your chess goals.

 Jess's Chess Adventure

Learn chess through stories, lovable characters, videos, and interactive activities in a magical chess kingdom.

♟️ FREE Chess Challenge

Can your child solve today's chess mystery? Join Magnus the Checkmate Detective and experience interactive chess training designed especially for young players.

✔ Learn essential checkmates
✔ Build confidence through play
✔ Train like a champion with Mr. C.

🚀 Launch Full Screen Chess Challenge

Meet Mr. C — National Master, Author & Mentor

For more than 40 years, National Master Ernest Colding has helped children discover confidence, focus, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning through chess. Through school programs, private lessons, camps, tournaments, and online courses, he has taught more than 10,000 children and coached over 30 national champions.

Our Mission:

Every child deserves the chance to become the hero of their own story. Through chess, we help children build confidence, character, and the courage to think for themselves.

🏆 National Master

📚 Published Author

🎬 Featured in Searching for Bobby Fischer

♟️ 30+ National Champions

🏫 NYC DOE Sole Vendor

⭐ 10,000+ Children Taught


Endorsed By a World Champion

"Students are always captivated by Mr. Colding's lessons and his enthusiasm for chess. He shines as an attentive, inspiring mentor to our students."

Nzinga Prescod, Two-Time Olympian & World Champion Fencer

Teaching Children Chess Since 1986

For over four decades, Chess for Children has helped thousands of kids build confidence, focus, critical thinking, and a love for chess through lessons, school programs, tournaments, and online learning.

40+ Years of Experience

Since 1986, Chess for Children has taught students across New York through schools, private lessons, camps, tournaments, and online programs.

Trusted by Schools & Families

Chess for Children has partnered with schools, parents, and community organizations throughout New York for more than two decades.

A Legacy of Chess Education

The Chess for Children website has been online since 2002 and preserved in the Internet Archive, documenting over two decades of chess education history.
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