In today’s fast-paced digital world, introducing your child to chess at an early age can provide them with lifelong benefits. If you’re searching for online chess classes for 5-15 year olds, Chess Gaja offers expert-led virtual training designed for young minds. Our structured curriculum, guided by experienced coaches and Grandmasters, ensures that every child, from beginners to advanced players, receives the best chess education possible.
The Power of Learning Chess at an Early Age
Many of the world’s greatest chess players began learning the game at an early age, and their success stories highlight the benefits of starting young:
Anatoly Karpov, from Russia, learned chess at just 4 years old. His calm and calculated style led him to become the World Champion in 1975 and maintain dominance for years.
Magnus Carlsen, from Norway, started playing chess at age 5. Though he wasn’t initially enthusiastic, his growing interest and talent propelled him to become a Grandmaster by 13 and later the World Champion. Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Champion, five-time World Rapid Chess Champion, and the reigning eight time World Blitz Chess Champion. He has held the No. 1 position in the FIDE world chess rankings since 2011. His peak rating of 2882 is the highest in history. He also holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak at the elite level in classical chess at 125 games.
Judit Polgar began playing chess at age 5 coached by her sister Grandmaster Susan Polgar. Judit started playing in tournaments at age 6. She became an International Master (IM) at age 12, the youngest player to ever achieve that title. The greatest female chess player in history, she is a Chess Grandmaster and five-time Chess Olympiad champion.
At age 4, Susan Polgar won her first chess tournament, the Budapest Girls’ Under-11 Championship, with a 10–0 score. at the age of 12, she won the World Under 16 Girls Championship. At age 15, Polgar had become the top-rated female chess player in the world. she became the third woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE. She also served as the Chairperson or co-chair of the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess from 2008 until late 2018. Chess Gaja founder GM Priyadharshan Kannappan interacted and worked closely with former World Chess Champion Susan Polgar from 2016 to 18, during his time under her mentorship in the “SPICE” program at Webster University.
Garry Kasparov, from Azerbaijan, began playing chess at age 6. Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion in 1985 at age 22 by defeating then-champion Anatoly Karpov, a record he held until 2024, when Gukesh Dommaraju won the title at age 18.
Gukesh Dommaraju (born 29 May 2006) is an Indian chess grandmaster and the reigning World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, Gukesh is the youngest undisputed world champion, the youngest player to have surpassed a FIDE rating of 2750, doing so at the age of 17, and the third-youngest to have surpassed 2700 Elo at the age of 16. He earned the title of grandmaster at the age of 12 and is the third-youngest grandmaster in chess history.
Gukesh started playing chess at the age of 7.
Hikaru Nakamura also started his chess journeys at age 7. He earned his grandmaster title at the age of 15, the youngest American at the time to do so. With a peak rating of 2816, Nakamura is the tenth-highest-rated player in history.
Mikhail Tal was a Soviet and Latvian chess player and the eighth World Chess Champion. He is considered a creative genius and is widely regarded as one of the most influential players in chess history. He started playing at the age of 8.
Why Start Early?
At Chess Gaja, we have seen many students struggle to balance chess and academics when they start learning later in life. If children begin chess training early, they can build a solid foundation and excel in the game before the pressures of high school and higher education set in. Though its very hard to make chess a profession when you start late, but it’s not impossible. For instance, Arjun Erigaisi started learning chess at age 11 and became the first Grandmaster from Telangana in 2018. While he achieved great success, balancing chess and academics became increasingly challenging and needs a not a hardwork Starting earlier allows young players to gain expertise while maintaining their academic performance with ease. Starting early in chess can also open doors for future education through scholarships.
Children who start playing chess between the ages of 9 and 11 can still achieve titled player status by participating in numerous tournaments. However, pursuing chess as a profession becomes significantly more challenging when starting later in life. Despite this, chess remains a fantastic game for individuals of all ages, as it enhances focus, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. This is why many corporations use chess as a team-building tool, and adults who play chess as a hobby often develop sharper concentration and forward-thinking abilities. Even older individuals enjoy chess to stay mentally active and challenged. At Chess Gaja, our students range from as young as 4 years old to as experienced as 55 years old, proving that chess is truly a game for everyone. While starting early provides a greater advantage for those aiming to make chess a career, people of all ages can benefit from learning and enjoying this timeless game.
Even at the ages of 2-3, children can be introduced to chess through fun chess boards and engaging books. Young prodigies like Misha Osipov, who played against Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov at age 3, and Anish Sarkar, the world’s youngest-rated player with a FIDE rating of 1555, exemplify the power of an early start.
For more insights, check out our article: What is the Best Age to Study Chess?
Why Enroll Your Child in Chess Gaja’s Online Chess Classes?
Chess Gaja is a top-tier online chess academy that provides world-class coaching for children of all levels. Our experienced coaches help students master the fundamentals, develop strategic thinking, and enhance their problem-solving skills. Whether your child is 5 or 15, we have tailored training programs that cater to their specific learning needs.
Expert Coaching from Grandmasters
Chess Gaja provides coaching from highly skilled and experienced Grandmasters who create a supportive and engaging learning environment. Our coaches tailor lessons based on each student’s skill level, ensuring maximum growth.
Flexible Learning with Online Accessibility
With our virtual chess classes, students can train from the comfort of their home, fitting lessons into their schedule without the need for travel. We offer both group and personalized training sessions to suit different learning preferences.
Structured Curriculum for Continuous Progress
Our well-defined learning path ensures steady improvement, guiding students from basic concepts to advanced strategies.
Proven Success in Competitions
Many Chess Gaja students have excelled in national and international tournaments, thanks to our rigorous training and expert coaching.
Read more about why chess is a winning choice for skill development.
Enroll Your Child Today!
If you’re looking for the best online chess classes for 5-15 year olds, Chess Gaja is the perfect choice. Give your child the gift of chess and watch them grow intellectually and competitively.
