Best Chess Summer Camps For Kids

Chess camps are an excellent way to inspire a love of chess in new students. These summer camps allow established players to deepen their understanding of the game and learn from experienced coaches. Chess summer programs also offer kids a chance to get off their phones and create friendships with like-minded peers. Grandmasters guide students through the fundamentals of chess, gradually working up to more complex strategies.

After camp, children can feel confident in their chess tactics and strategy. This is a great way to keep your child’s mind sharp during the summer break from school.

Denver Rocky Mountain Chess Camp

Denver, CO

Kids can surround themselves with the beauty of Denver, Colorado, at Denver Rocky Mountain Chess day camps. Founded in 1995, the program is run by National Chess Master Todd Bardwick. Children ages 6 to 18 are welcome to participate and choose from beginner, intermediate, or advanced level groups.

Kids learn in person from carefully trained coaches, most of whom have a background in education. The small class sizes with an 8:1 coach to student ratio allow the coaches to give personalized attention to each child. In addition to coaching, campers receive valuable workbooks to study chess strategies and tactics.

Children learn, play, and compete in a safe and supportive environment. For this season, the chess...

Bay Area Chess

San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park, CA

Students have a variety of options for studying chess in the beautiful Bay Area. Bay Area Chess offers in-person camps during the spring and summer, while online chess camps run during the summer only. Children ages five and up are welcome to join the Bay Area programs with no experience needed!

In-person programs are located in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. You can check their schedule for spring break camps or enroll in the summer program where students learn from skilled chess instructors in small group sizes with an instructor-to-student ratio of 1:10. Both morning and afternoon programs are available.

Absolute beginners can get started with the Online Bootcamp offered every two weeks....

Elite Chess

Wheaton and Naperville, IL

Elite Chess is located in Illinois. You can build your child's love of STEM and chess at Elite Chess, with locations in Wheaton, IL, and Naperville, IL. The in-person and online chess lessons are for children who know how to play chess but want to improve upon their skills. Kids who are brand new to it can enroll in their combined STEM/Chess program.

Experienced players can join the intermediate or advanced programs. During their time in class, children study famous games and learn how to strategize like a Grandmaster. The chess camp concludes with a tournament where the top players win trophies and bragging rights.

The combined program is perfect for campers interested in learning...

Caveman Chess

Online

Caveman chess offers a comprehensive list of programs for participants of different age groups and capabilities. During this full week of hands-on learning, youth learn from some of the world's top chess masters. Campers take what they learn from their demos and lessons and then compete in tournaments with their peers.

Their Explorer camp is open to everyone. Enrolled campers are assigned groups pertaining to their current ability level. They work on building basic knowledge and chess strategies. The Intensive Study Camp is open to youth and adults who demonstrate a high skill level. Explorer camp participants and Intensive Study participants are separated for tournaments and games.

You can also sign up your kid for...

Chess4Life

Online

Chess4Life offers chess camps, classes, and tournaments for beginners through advanced players 5-15 years old! Your child can learn problem-solving, focus, and sportsmanship all while having fun! Programs are offered online, as well as in Washington State with centers in Issaquah and Bellevue, WA.

You can join summer chess camps at Chess4Life Bellevue this summer with Chess PLUS Table Tennis Camps! Players are taught by experienced coaches in multiple skill groups to ensure all players learn new skills and practice with similarly skilled opponents. Take advantage of the cognitive benefits of chess – increased focus, patience, & critical thinking skills!

Your child can also receive online chess lessons from a chess master and participate in...

Chess At 3

Online, New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA

Chess at 3 begins children on their chess journey as early as age 3 with their unique brand of teaching that involves storytelling. Through this blend of storytelling and tutoring, Chess at 3 engages players in a way that they find entertaining and instructional.

Children get one-on-one chess classes through popular online communication platforms like Google Hangouts, Skype, and Zoom. The program has nearly 100 instructors who serve as chess guides and storytellers. Their interactive stories provide immersion that traditional instruction can't.

Chess at 3 utilizes the open-source chess server Lichess and can assist students in opening a free account. From there, they use a straightforward hourly rate ranging from $80/hour for one-on-one sessions to...

Chess Max Academy

Online, NY, and CT

Chess Max Academy allows students to work with a team of international chess grandmasters, all of whom have incredible accolades. Students can choose how they want to learn as there is a program to suit every learning style.

The most flexible option is the online school, which includes thousands of exercises assigned individually by coaches at only $19/month. For a traditional lesson structure style, Chess Max Academy has options for every age and skill level. These range from pre-schoolers all the way up to twelve-year-olds and clock in at $350 per semester.

You can also sign up kids for one on one chess classes from a true master of you're choosing. It's a more expensive...

ChessMatec

Online

ChessMatec is designed with younger learners in mind. Students can sign up for their free account, which limits access to the first-level curriculum. Through a series of engaging, interactive chess, young children learn essential fundamentals.

Presented without any verbal instruction, kids are provided with visual examples to mimic the moves of chessboard pieces and play strategies. Each lesson begins with a limited view of the chessboard, and the viewpoint expands as children learn and master moves.

There are a total of eight instructional areas with 8-10 levels within each area awaiting to be unlocked. Children progress through locked areas as milestones are achieved. Free resources, including worksheets and coloring pages, are also available. Kids can...