Questions and Answers

🎓 Curious About Enrolling? Here's What Makes Us Magical:

Chess Wizards is the largest chess education program in the U.S., and our mission is simple: make learning chess so fun, your child won’t want to stop! Sure, chess builds amazing skills—critical thinking, confidence, focus, and sportsmanship—but if it’s not fun, most kids would rather be playing video games. That’s why we’ve packed our program with team games, interactive lessons, and clever puzzles (both on the board and in real life!) to keep young minds engaged and excited.

Whether your child is brand new to chess or already a grandmaster-in-training, we make learning feel like a game—because it is one!

♟️ Are students grouped by skill level?

Yes—every pawn starts somewhere, but we’re here to help them level up like knights in shining armor!

On the first day, we run a quick and friendly chess “sorting ceremony” (minus the talking hat). Your child’s wizard-instructor will evaluate their skill level through some puzzles and games. Then, they’ll be matched with fellow players of similar strength—so everyone gets the right dose of challenge and excitement.

Each group receives customized lessons and hands-on practice, but we also stir in whole-class games and magical chess activities where all levels mix, mingle, and compete. It's a kingdom that allows all players to feel like kings and queens!

👯 Will my child be able to play chess with their friends?

Of course! Friends who checkmate together stay together.
While we encourage students to mix it up and challenge a variety of opponents (because that’s how champions are made!), your child is absolutely welcome to play against their friends during class. Whether it’s a friendly rematch or a legendary rivalry in the making, we love seeing kids enjoy chess together.

👑 Will my child be paired with kids their own age?

Usually, yes—but it’s less about birthdays and more about brainpower.
We group kids based on skill level, not age—but guess what? Most students at the same level tend to be in the same general age range anyway. That being said, your child will likely be paired with kids who are both chess-compatible and peer-appropriate.

Think of it as a strategy-based buddy system—knights train with knights, and bishops stick together on the same diagonal.

♟️ My child is an advanced chess player—will they be challenged?

Absolutely—chess is like an onion: full of layers (and occasionally tears)! 

Our curriculum is designed to keep even the sharpest minds thinking. For students with a strong chess background—especially those with a USCF rating of 1100 or higher—we have plenty of brain-bending puzzles, advanced tactics, and strategy lessons to keep their mental rooks and bishops moving.

🕵️‍♂️ Can you tell me if a child other than my own has registered for the class?

As much as we’d love to say, “Checkmate! Your child’s buddy is in.” We take privacy seriously—so we can’t reveal who’s in the class. 

If your little knight or queen wants to castle alongside a friend, we recommend giving the other parent a quick call to coordinate.

🏃‍♂️🧠 Who makes sure the kids get to the class?
In most cases, Chess Wizards instructors are not responsible for bringing children to the class. We recommend giving your child’s classroom teacher a heads-up that they’ve joined the royal ranks of Chess Wizards, and maybe slipping your young knight a reminder on class day so they don’t forget to saddle up for their next chess adventure!
🧭 Where will the class be held?

Every great wizard needs a place to practice their magic—but sometimes that place changes! 

The classroom we use can change from week to week—kind of like a secret hideout for little chess masters. 🕵️‍♂️ To find the “Wizard’s Lair” for the week, we recommend giving the school a quick call. They’ll point you in the right direction!

⏰ When does the class start?

The chessboard’s ready, but when do the games begin?

For the exact start date of your child’s class, give our friendly Customer Service Wizards a ring at 1-866-949-4386 (8:00 AM–8:00 PM EST), or send a magical scroll (okay, it’s just an email) to [email protected]. We’ll be happy to help!

🔍 How do I find upcoming classes on your website?

Time to go class hunting! 🧭
Start by creating an account at www.chesswizards.com. Be sure to enter your child’s school name accurately—this is our magic key to show you the right classes.

If classes are currently being offered at your location, you’ll see them right away. Still feeling stuck? No worries! Give us a call or email us—we’re happy to help you navigate.

🏫 My child is interested, but you don’t teach at their school. Can they attend a class at a different school?

Good question! Each school has its own policy when it comes to students from other schools joining their after-school programs. 

We recommend reaching out to the school directly to ask if they allow outside students to join. And hey, if we’re not at your school yet—we’d love an introduction! We’re always on the lookout for new schools to bring the magic of chess to.

🕸️ I’m having a lot of trouble with your website!

Oh no, sounds like we’ve hit a web of confusion! Sometimes even a grandmaster needs a little tech support.

Whether you're stuck at signup or lost in login limbo, our customer service team is ready to help you make your next move. Just give us a call at 1-866-949-4386 or email us at [email protected].

We’ll get you back on board in no time!

🖱️ How do I use your website to register?

Registering is your first winning move!

  • Head over to https://chesswizards.com/register/ and create your account. 🧙‍♀️

  • Fill out your profile and enter your child’s school or location. 🏫

  • If we’re currently offering classes there, they’ll pop up on your dashboard like magic! 🪄

  • If you don’t see anything, registration may be closed (or hasn’t started yet). Don’t worry—give us a shout, and we’ll help you make your next move!

Let’s make your little wizard's chess journey official! 🎉

🕰️ Class already started… Can I still jump in? And do I have to pay the full fee?

Yes, you can still join the session! If there’s space left on the board, we’re happy to welcome late-joining wizards. And no, you won’t have to pay for sessions that have already passed—we’ll offer you a prorated fee. 

Since we’re past the opening moves, late registrations need to be handled directly by our customer service team.

Let’s get your young grandmaster into the game! 🎉🧙‍♂️

If I sign my child up again, will they learn new stuff?

YES, indeed! We’ve got over 100 magical chess lessons in our Magical library—plenty of new tricks, tactics, and strategies to explore each time your child joins. So, whether it’s their second time or their seventh, we’ll keep it fresh, challenging, and FUN as their chess powers level up! 

🧳 Do we need to bring a chessboard to class?

Nope! Just bring your thinking cap and your best game face.
We’ll provide the chessboards and all the magical tools needed to train your young wizard. Leave the gear to us—we've got it covered!

♟️ My child is a beginner—can they still join the class?

Yes! Our classes are made for all skill levels, from total beginners to future grandmasters.
If your child knows how to say "checkmate" but not what it means—don't worry, we'll take it from there and make learning chess a blast!

🧸 Do you accept pre-K students?

You bet we do! Many of our partner schools welcome Pre-K Wizards-in-training.

We use songs, movement, and playful games to teach the magic of chess in a way that’s just right for little learners. Think of it as story time with pawns and queens! (“Check" to see if your school has a pre-K program.)

📈 Will my child receive feedback or progress reports?

Absolutely! Midway through the session, you'll get a progress report with insights on what your little wizard has been learning and how they're doing. 

Want updates sooner? Just give us a shout—our team is always happy to chat about your child’s chess journey! 

📅 What days and times is the program offered?

Great question! The exact days and times depend on your school’s schedule (and maybe the stars aligning).

To find your specific options, just log into your Chess Wizards account or check with your school directly. We’ll see you there—cape and wand optional!

⏳ What if my child misses a class—can we get a makeup?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer makeups or refunds for missed classes (even for grandmasters-in-training).

But don’t worry—we’ll send over some magical materials and practice worksheets, so your wizard can catch up and stay sharp!

💸 Are there any discounts or scholarships available?
Possibly! We review each request on a case-by-case basis. Reach out to our friendly customer service team—we’re happy to explore any options that might help your young wizard get started on their chess adventure.
♟️ Can we join mid-session?
Maybe! If there’s space available and the class is a good fit for your child’s age and chess level, we’d love to welcome them aboard. Just give our customer service team a call—they’ll help you sort out the details and get your little Wizard placed properly!
📅 Is attendance mandatory for every session?

Not exactly, but skipping class is like skipping a few moves in a chess game… it’s hard to win if you’re not there to play! 

While attendance isn’t required, showing up regularly keeps your child’s skills sharp, their confidence growing, and their magical powers fully charged.

♟ What is your refund or cancellation policy?

Think of it like a chess match—you can still reset the board if the game hasn’t really started!
If you withdraw your child after the first class, you will receive a refund for the remaining classes (minus the first class).

 But after the second class, the game is in full swing—no refunds or prorated credits will be issued.

🧙‍♀️ Who teaches the class? What are their qualifications?

Our instructors are the grandmasters of fun!
Every Chess Wizard goes through a thorough selection and training process—covering classroom management, child safety, and, of course, the fine art of teaching chess in a way that keeps kids laughing and learning.

They’re part coach, part entertainer, and part strategist—so whether your child is a pawn beginner or a rook-on-a-roll, our Wizards know exactly how to bring out their best moves.

🪄 What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Think of it like a chessboard: too many pieces, and it’s chaos; too few, and it’s lonely. We keep it balanced with 1 wizard for every 14 students—just enough to spark strategy battles without the knights running wild.
📧📞 How do we keep in touch with parents—email, app, or text?
We favor the queen's gambit of classics: email and phone. Chasing app notifications? That's like a knight's erratic leap—entertaining, but no checkmate for reliability.
🤔📞📧 Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns during the session?
Your chess lifeline is just a call or email away! Our customer service team is on duty Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST, ready to help you with anything from “When’s the next class?” to “My child’s knight is plotting a coup.”
📅🔔 Will I be notified of schedule changes or class updates?

Absolutely! We’ll keep you in the loop with timely email updates if there are any schedule changes or important class info.

Think of it as your magical scroll of updates—delivered right to your inbox, so you’ll never miss a move!

🏫 Where is the class held (on campus or off-site)?
All classes are held right on your child’s school campus—no horse-and-carriage rides across town required! Usually, we’re set up in a designated classroom or multipurpose room. We’ll share the exact “chess battleground” with parents before the session begins.
⏳ What’s the time frame to receive my ChessKid Gold Membership credentials?

Once you register, our customer service team will send your ChessKid Gold Membership credentials within 5 business days of purchase.

Keep an eye on your inbox for your welcome email—it’s your golden ticket to puzzles, lessons, and exciting chess challenges on ChessKid!

📦♟ What’s the time frame to receive my Tournament Chess Set + Chess Puzzles?

Your royal chess gear is on its way to your castle! Our customer service team will send a scroll (okay…an email 😉) to confirm your shipping address and give you the delivery details. Then it’s just a matter of time before your shiny new chess set and brain-boosting puzzles arrive at your door. 

Delivery usually takes about 7-10 business days from the date of purchase.

🎯♟️ Do you offer any demo sessions?

Nope, no trial by chess here. But don’t worry! If your little wizard decides after the first class that chess isn’t their cup of tea, we’ll refund you for the remaining classes—minus the first one.

After the second class, though, the pawns have moved, and refunds are off the board.

⏳ How long does it take for my kids to level up?

In Chess Wizards, your child gains new chess superpowers every week. After just one or two sessions (6–10 weeks), you’ll see them playing at a whole new level.

But here’s the magic twist—chess is an endless adventure! Even grandmasters are still leveling up. The “final level” is a bit like a unicorn in chess; you chase it forever, and that’s what makes the game so legendary.

👩‍👦 As a parent, I need to know—do you handle allergies?

Yes—we take allergies very seriously. ❤️ Safety always comes first!

🧑‍🏫 Our instructors are trained through nationally recognized programs (like FARE: Food Allergy Research & Education) to:


✔️ Recognize signs of anaphylaxis
✔️ Safely administer epinephrine (EpiPens) if needed
✔️ Call 911 and alert school health personnel immediately in any emergency