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Read Article →Online Chess Classes · Ireland
Online Chess Lessons for Children in Ireland
Live coaching from India, scheduled around Irish school hours.
Darklight Chess Academy teaches live online chess lessons to children across Ireland, in English. India is 5½ hours ahead of Irish winter time and 4½ hours ahead in summer, so after-school and weekend slots are available. Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour (about €10), and the first demo class is free.
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Families in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and across Ireland, including Northern Ireland, can learn with Darklight Chess Academy online. Lessons are live with a coach on a shared digital board and follow a structured curriculum.
Ireland follows the same clock as the UK, so the gap to India is 5½ hours in winter and 4½ hours in summer.
Scheduling
What time are online chess lessons for Irish students?
Timings are flexible. A 5:00 pm weekday lesson in Dublin is 10:30 pm in India in winter and 9:30 pm in summer, which suits our coaching hours. Weekend mornings are the other popular option. We confirm slots in Irish time when you book the demo.
Local chess
Which Irish events and ratings can a student aim for?
The Irish Chess Union is the national federation, and junior and school events run through the year. Our tournament coaching can be tailored to an event your child has entered, and the games reviewed afterwards. See the Irish Chess Union for current events.
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 |
| Your time | In India, while you're on standard time | In India, while you're on daylight time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 10:00 am | Saturday 3:30 pm | Saturday 2:30 pm |
| Wednesday 5:00 pm | Wednesday 10:30 pm | Wednesday 9:30 pm |
Irish 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 in Ireland
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 Ireland?
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 £9 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 Ireland
How much do online chess lessons cost in Ireland?
Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour, about €10 at recent rates. The rupee figure is fixed, so the euro amount varies slightly. Siblings get a discount and the first demo is free.
What time are lessons in Irish time?
Flexible. India is 5½ hours ahead in winter and 4½ in summer, so a 10:00 am Saturday lesson in Dublin is 3:30 pm in India in winter.
Do you teach children in Northern Ireland too?
Yes. Lessons are online and use the same clock as the rest of the island.
Can beginners start?
Yes, from about age 5, and the demo includes a level assessment.
How do I book?
Use the form on this page, which selects Ireland, or message us on WhatsApp.
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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