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Read Article →Online Chess Classes · United States
Online Chess Classes for Kids in the USA
Live coaching from our team in India, scheduled around US time zones — for complete beginners through to students entering US tournaments.
Darklight Chess Academy is based in Coimbatore, India, and coaches students in the United States entirely online. Every class is live with a coach on a shared digital board — not pre-recorded video — and runs as a small group batch or a one-to-one session.
The practical question for US families is timing. India is 9½ to 13½ hours ahead of the continental US, depending on your zone and the time of year, so classes are arranged around your local day. Tell us your time zone and preferred days when you book the free demo class, and we'll confirm which slots are open.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | UTC−5 · India is 10½ h ahead | UTC−4 · India is 9½ h ahead |
| Central (CT) | UTC−6 · India is 11½ h ahead | UTC−5 · India is 10½ h ahead |
| Mountain (MT) Most of Arizona stays on standard time | UTC−7 · India is 12½ h ahead | UTC−6 · India is 11½ h ahead |
| Pacific (PT) | UTC−8 · India is 13½ h ahead | UTC−7 · India is 12½ h ahead |
| Your time | In India, while you're on standard time | In India, while you're on daylight time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 9:00 am | Saturday 7:30 pm | Saturday 6:30 pm |
| Sunday 10:00 am | Sunday 8:30 pm | Sunday 7:30 pm |
| Wednesday 5:00 pm | Thursday 3:30 am | Thursday 2:30 am |
US daylight saving time runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. India doesn't change its clocks, so the gap to Indian time is one hour smaller during US daylight time. Alaska and Hawaii are further behind — ask us about slots.
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 Ratings and Tournaments in the US
Most over-the-board tournaments in the United States are rated by US Chess, the national federation, and larger international events may also be FIDE-rated. For many children, school (scholastic) events are the first competitive step.
Online coaching doesn't limit where your child competes. Our tournament coaching can be built around a specific event your child has registered for, and coaches review their own tournament games afterwards to find recurring mistakes.
Proof, Not Promises
Recent Results From Our Students at US Events
Harinandan — 1st place, USA Chess Festival.
Harinanthan — Continental Chess Concord Tournament, California.
Aayush — 1st place in a Silver Knight tournament, USA.
Aayush — champion at a states tournament, USA.
Fees
How much do online chess lessons cost for families in United States?
Lessons start from ₹1,000 per hour. Fees are set in Indian rupees, so the amount you pay in US dollars depends on the exchange rate on the day. As a guide only, ₹1,000 is about $11 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.
FAQ
Questions From Families in United States
What time are online chess classes for students in the US?
Classes are booked in your local time, from the slots our coaches have open. India is 9½–13½ hours ahead of the continental US, so a 9:00 am Saturday class in New York is 7:30 pm Saturday in India in winter (6:30 pm in summer). Share your time zone and preferred days when you book the free demo and we'll confirm what's available.
Can you coach students in every US time zone?
Yes. Classes are online, so the only constraint is timing — we schedule around Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time. One of our students' recent results came at the Continental Chess Concord Tournament in California.
Do you prepare students for US Chess–rated tournaments?
Yes. Tournament coaching can be built around a specific event your child has entered, US Chess–rated or not, and includes reviewing their own games afterwards. A Darklight student recently took 1st place at the USA Chess Festival.
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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