Is there a free trial for Russian Chess School?

Yes. Russian Chess School offers a 7-day free trial with no commitment. You can cancel anytime during or after the trial.

How much does Russian Chess School cost?

The adult program is $34 per month, or from $24 per month when billed yearly. The RCS KIDS program starts with a free onboarding call and no commitment, and you can cancel anytime.

What chess levels does Russian Chess School teach?

Russian Chess School teaches all levels from complete beginners (0 rating) to advanced club players (up to 2000 rating). Levels include Beginner (0-500), Improver (500-800), Intermediate (800-1200), Advanced (1200-1600), and Club Player (1600-2000).

Are classes online or in person?

All Russian Chess School classes are fully online. Students join live group sessions from anywhere in the world. There are no in-person classes.

Who teaches at Russian Chess School?

All coaches at Russian Chess School hold official FIDE titles. The team includes WGM Dina Belenkaya (founder), WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian.

What age is the KIDS program for?

The RCS KIDS program is designed for children ages 7 to 16. Classes are held in small groups of up to 6 students for personalized attention.

What does the subscription include?

The adult subscription includes weekly group classes by rating level, game reviews with Dina, 1-on-1 coaching, tournaments, a leaderboard, personalized plans, and access to 500+ hours of structured training material. It is hosted on the Skool community platform.

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Yes. There is no long-term commitment. You can cancel your Russian Chess School subscription at any time.

What chess courses are available at Russian Chess School?

Russian Chess School offers standalone chess courses covering targeted skill areas including tactics, openings, endgames, strategy, and game analysis. These are structured video-based programs you can work through at your own pace alongside the live class program.

Are the chess courses suitable for beginners?

Yes. Courses are designed for players at all levels, from beginners learning the fundamentals to intermediate and advanced players working to fix specific weaknesses. Each course focuses on one area so you can target exactly what you need to improve.

How do the standalone courses differ from the live classes?

The standalone courses are self-paced video programs covering a specific chess topic. The live classes are weekly group sessions held in real time with a coach. Both are included in membership plans, and the courses complement the live instruction by letting you drill specific areas between classes.

Who created the chess courses at Russian Chess School?

The courses were created by the school's coaching team, led by WGM Dina Belenkaya, with contributions from WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian. All coaches hold official FIDE titles.

Do I need a membership to access the chess courses?

Most courses are included with a Russian Chess School membership. You can try the full program with a free 7-day trial before committing to a plan. Some specialized courses may be available separately — check the current course listings for details.

What age can kids start at Russian Chess School KIDS?

The KIDS program accepts students ages 7 to 16. Classes are grouped by skill level so children train alongside peers at the same stage, whether they are complete beginners or have been playing for a few years.

Is the KIDS program good for beginners with no chess experience?

Yes. The program starts from the very basics and is designed to be accessible for children who have never played chess before. The structured curriculum guides kids from the rules of the game through tactics, strategy, and competitive play at their own pace.

How are the online chess classes for kids structured?

Classes are live, online, and held in small groups of up to 6 students per session. Each class includes a lesson, practice exercises, and game review. Sessions are led by titled coaches including WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian.

Is there a free trial for the KIDS program?

Yes. New students can start a free 7-day trial with no credit card required. The trial includes full access to the KIDS program: live classes, course materials, and the coaching community.

Who are the coaches in the KIDS program?

The KIDS program is led by a team of titled female coaches: WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian, under the direction of founder WGM Dina Belenkaya. All coaches hold official FIDE titles and have extensive experience teaching young players.

Who are the coaches at Russian Chess School?

Russian Chess School is led by WGM (Woman Grandmaster) Dina Belenkaya, who founded the school. The coaching team includes WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian — all titled female chess players with official FIDE credentials.

Who is Dina Belenkaya?

Dina Belenkaya is a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) with over 25 years of competitive chess experience. She founded Russian Chess School to make high-quality, titled-coach instruction accessible online. She is also known for her work promoting chess through social media and content creation.

What qualifications do the coaches have?

All coaches at Russian Chess School hold official FIDE (World Chess Federation) titles: WGM Dina Belenkaya (Woman Grandmaster), WIM Anna Gvanceladze (Woman International Master), WFM Alexandra Samaganova (Woman FIDE Master), and WIM Alina Balaian (Woman International Master).

Is Russian Chess School an online-only program?

Yes. Russian Chess School is a fully online program. All live group classes, game reviews, and coaching sessions take place via video conference. Occasionally the school hosts in-person events such as masterclasses — these are announced separately.

How is the curriculum at Russian Chess School structured?

The curriculum is developed by the coaching team and covers all aspects of chess improvement: tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, and game analysis. Students are grouped by rating level (from 0 to 2000+) so instruction is always matched to their current ability.

How do I start learning chess online with Russian Chess School?

Start with a free 7-day trial — no credit card required. Once you join, you get immediate access to live group classes sorted by rating level, structured coursework, and game review sessions. You can attend class the same week you sign up.

Is Russian Chess School good for beginners?

Yes. The school accepts students from complete beginners (0 rating) through advanced players (2000+ rating). Classes are grouped by rating level so you are always training with peers at your level, and the curriculum starts from the fundamentals for lower-rated groups.

What is included in the free 7-day trial?

The free trial gives you full access to the school for 7 days: live group classes, the complete course library, game reviews, and the community. You need no credit card to start. At the end of the trial you can choose a membership plan to continue.

Who teaches at Russian Chess School?

The school was founded by WGM (Woman Grandmaster) Dina Belenkaya, who has over 25 years of competitive chess experience. The coaching team also includes WIM Anna Gvanceladze, WFM Alexandra Samaganova, and WIM Alina Balaian — all titled female players.

How much does Russian Chess School cost?

Adult memberships start at $24/month when billed yearly. Monthly plans are $34 (Standard), $59 (Premium) and $279 (VIP) per month. All plans include access to live classes and the course library. A free 7-day trial is available before committing to any plan.

What Are the Best Online Chess Classes for Adults Who Want Game Reviews?

Dina Belenkaya

Sep 23

3 min read

Updated: Oct 24

The best online chess classes for adults combine live teaching, regular review of your own games, and a plan that fits a busy schedule. Game review is the part that changes how you play, because a coach shows where your thinking went wrong, not only which move was a mistake. Look for FIDE-titled coaches, a structured path by level, a community of other adult improvers and a free trial.

Why do adults need a different kind of chess program?

Most chess programs are designed around young players with hours a day to study. Adults rarely have that. A full-time job, a family and a life mean two hours a night is not realistic.

Programs that work for adults respect this. They offer one or two classes a week, focused game review, and practice you can do in 30-minute pieces. You do not need to study like a world champion to improve. You need to study consistently and in the right areas.

Why does game review matter so much?

Engines tell you the evaluation dropped on move 23. A coach tells you why you played the move you did. Mistakes are usually habits, not accidents: the same kind of position, the same kind of time pressure, month after month. A coach who reviews your games regularly can name the pattern.

Good game review for adults has three parts. The coach asks what you were trying to do. They show the moment your thinking changed. They give you one thing to practice before the next review.

Should adults memorize openings or learn to think?

Many adult improvers spend months memorizing opening lines and then lose in the middlegame because they do not understand what they are doing. Russian Chess School's approach is to build strategy and thinking first: judging a position, pawn structure, when to trade pieces, and a thought process you can use at the board when the clock is running. Our tagline says it plainly: openings don't matter, we will teach you how to use your brain.

Do adults need a supportive learning environment?

Adults often feel attached to their rating, and a mistake shown in a review can sting. A good program makes the culture about improvement and curiosity, not judgment. Russian Chess School's adult program includes a learning community and psychological support for the mental side of chess.

What should you look for in online chess classes for adults?

FIDE-titled coaches who explain clearly
A structured path by level, not just opening theory
Live group classes, not only recorded content
Review of your own games
1-on-1 coaching available
A community of other adult improvers
A free trial

What does Russian Chess School offer adult players?

Russian Chess School was founded by WGM Dina Belenkaya. The adult program (ages 16 and up) runs from 0 to 2000 and includes live weekly group classes, game reviews with Dina, 1-on-1 coaching, homework, tournaments and a leaderboard. The school has taught 1,200+ students over about 2.5 years. Its Skool page showed a 4.8 rating from 22 reviews as of October 22, 2026.

Plans are $34 (Standard), $59 (Premium) and $279 (VIP) per month. The "from $24/month" shown on our homepage is the price when billed yearly.

FAQ

Can adults learn chess online from scratch?

Yes. The adult program starts at the Beginner level (0 to 500) and runs to Club Player (1600 to 2000).

How do game reviews work in online chess classes?

A coach goes through one of your games, asks what you were thinking at key moments, shows where the thinking changed, and gives you something specific to practice.

How much time do I need each week?

There is no fixed number. Adults who attend a weekly class and do short practice sessions make steady progress.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Russian Chess School offers a 7-day free trial with no commitment.

Start your free trial

Start your 7-day free trial at Russian Chess School and bring a game to review: Start the free trial