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Read Article →Online Chess Classes · Europe
Online Chess Classes for Kids Across Europe
Live coaching in English from India, timed to your country's school day.
Darklight Chess Academy teaches live online chess lessons in English to children across Europe, including Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway. Central Europe is 3½ to 4½ hours behind India depending on the season. Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour, and the first demo class is free.
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Students from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway are among those who learn with us online. Because lessons are in English and flexible in timing, they suit expat and international families who cannot find English-language coaching locally.
Country pages: Ireland, Germany, Netherlands and the UK. Short notes for the others are below.
Switzerland
Online chess lessons in English in Switzerland
Switzerland uses CET/CEST, the same as Germany, so India is 4½ hours ahead in winter and 3½ hours ahead in summer. Fees are from ₹1,000 per hour.
Belgium
Online chess lessons in English in Belgium
Belgium also uses CET/CEST. English-language coaching suits families in Brussels and international schools, and your child can play in local clubs alongside our lessons.
Norway
Online chess lessons in English in Norway
Norway uses CET/CEST too. Lessons in English suit families who are new to the country, and your child can enter local junior events alongside our coaching.
Scheduling
Class Times and Time Zones
Classes are booked in your local time from the slots our coaches have open. Exact days and times are confirmed with you before the free demo — we don't publish a fixed timetable, because slots depend on your time zone and the student's level.
| Time zone | Standard time | Daylight time |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland (GMT / IST) | UTC+0 · India is 5½ h ahead | UTC+1 · India is 4½ h ahead |
| Central Europe (CET / CEST) Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway | UTC+1 · India is 4½ h ahead | UTC+2 · India is 3½ h ahead |
| Your time | In India, while you're on standard time | In India, while you're on daylight time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 10:00 am | Saturday 2:30 pm | Saturday 1:30 pm |
| Wednesday 4:00 pm | Wednesday 8:30 pm | Wednesday 7:30 pm |
European summer time runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. India does not change its clocks.
Programmes
Choose a Level
Not sure where your child fits? The free demo includes a level assessment, and we place them from there.
Competing
Chess Across Europe
Our coaches include Marimuthu K represented India at the Olympiad in Greece in 2021, and Mega Chakraborty is an Asian silver medalist who represented India at the World Women Championship in 2024. Meet all our coaches.
Fees
How much do online chess lessons cost for families in Switzerland?
Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour. Fees are set in Indian rupees, so the amount you pay in euros depends on the exchange rate on the day. As a guide only, ₹1,000 is about €10 or about CHF 9.5 or about NOK 115 at recent rates. Siblings learning together get a discount, and the first demo class is free.
Currency figures are indicative and rounded. Ask us for the exact amount when you enquire. Full details are on the pricing page.
Choosing a Coach
Online academy, local club or marketplace tutor: which suits your child?
| Online academy (like us) | Local chess club | Marketplace tutor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Structured levels from beginner to tournament prep | Often informal, varies by volunteer | Depends on the individual tutor |
| Scheduling | Flexible, fitted around school and your time zone | Fixed weekly slot | Flexible, agreed per tutor |
| Coaching team | Several coaches with national and international playing experience | One or two organisers | One person |
| Playing in person | Not included; your child can still enter local events | Yes, face-to-face games | Not usually |
Many families do both: a local club for the social side, and an online academy for structured coaching. We are happy for your child to do either alongside our classes.
FAQ
Questions From Families in Switzerland
Do you teach in English in Europe?
Yes, all lessons are in English.
How much do lessons cost in Europe?
From ₹1,000 per hour, about €10, CHF 9.5 or NOK 115 at recent rates. Siblings get a discount and the first demo is free.
What time are lessons?
Flexible, in your local time. Central Europe is 4½ hours behind India in winter and 3½ in summer.
Which countries do your students come from?
Our students join from more than 30 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Norway.
More general questions — how online classes work, how often to attend, fees and tracking progress — are answered on our online chess classes page.
Free Demo Class
Book a Free Demo Class
The demo is free with no commitment. A coach assesses the student's level, and we suggest a batch or one-to-one slot that fits your time zone.
Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour. Siblings learning together get a discount.
Prefer to talk first? Message us on WhatsApp or use the button at the bottom of the screen.
Further Reading
Guides From Our Coaches
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