Questions and Answers
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
Registering is your first winning move!
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Head over to https://chesswizards.com/register/ and create your account. 🧙♀️
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Fill out your profile and enter your child’s school or location. 🏫
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If we’re currently offering classes there, they’ll pop up on your dashboard like magic! 🪄
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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! 🎉
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! 🎉🧙♂️
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!
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!
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!
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.)
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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