NYC

Chess Clubs

1

Join a vibrant community where kids learn and grow together.

2

Play chess and build lifelong skills with a certified tutor.

3

Experience a nurturing atmosphere that sparks creativity and confidence.

Upper East Side Chess Club →

1309 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10128
A bright chess club room located on the Upper East Side in NYC, featuring green and purple walls, a checkered backdrop with a knight emblem, small tables with chessboards, white chairs, and colorful cushions on the floor for seating.

What to expect:

Choose your location.

Pick a day and time that works best for you.

We have all the fun learning tools (plus some awesome stories!).

Every lesson is with a certified Chess at Three tutor.

My daughter had no prior chess experience and immediately fell in love by going through Story Time Chess's storytelling style of teaching!
Christine P.
If you are looking for an initial exposure to chess for your little one, this is absolutely the place for you.
Gina C.
Our kid has been loving her chess lessons. She's learning strategy now, and we've also seen improvements in attention span and patience.
Jenn C.
Our son LOVES learning and playing chess now !!!! His tutor makes it really fun for him.
- Patrick A
Our tutor is able to connect with our two hyperactive boys and get them to focus and significantly expand their chess capabilities.
- Rebecca S
The teachers have such wonderful rapport with the children and they clearly have a love of the game themselves.
- Jessica F
My son had a basic understanding of the game but with our teacher, he learned many new Chess moves and strategies.
- Christine K
Story Time Chess is one of the most innovative approaches I've seen in education. I can't recommend them enough!
- Michael R
We are amazed at how quickly our kindergartener became obsessed with chess thanks to attending Story Time Chess club.
- Marg S
I have an Autistic teenage son. His amazing and patient coach keeps him interested during the entire session, which is no small feat.
- Martine D
Absolutely fabulous place with excellent teachers. Chess is one of the few things proven to increase kid's IQ's, so don't hesitate!
- Alyssa H
We're so impressed with the skill, confidence and knowledge of the game our kiddo had amassed after only a handful of classes.
- Marg S

How we do it:


We teach kids through storytelling!

Our stories bring the chessboard to life, transforming each piece into a unique character that takes kids on exciting adventures.

Instead of just explaining the rules, we use stories to show them how chess works in action—making learning fun, engaging, and memorable.

"King Chomper took one slow step at a time, over and over again, moving slowly around the checkered lawn until he had eaten every last slice of cold pizza."

Illustration of King Chomper, a cheerful, bearded king holding a scepter topped with food. He stands outside a castle on a chessboard-style grassy field scattered with pizza slices and rolls, moving slowly because his pockets are stuffed with food

How We
Compare

Traditional Chess
Classes
General Enrichment
Program
Story-Based Curriculum
Designed for Ages 3+
Tutors Certified in Award-Winning Curriculum
Keeps Children Fully Engaged
Focus on Life Skills
(Empathy, Focus, Confidence)
Curriculum Style
Original storytelling curriculum designed to build cognitive and emotional skills alongside chess
Standard chess curriculum focuses on rules
Often not sequential or skills-based
What Kids Say About It
"I love King Chomper"
"Can I play more chess today?"
"It’s hard."
"Do I have to go?"
"It was fine."
"What was that again?"

How We Compare

Story-Based Curriculum
Designed for Ages 3+
Tutors Certified in Award-Winning Curriculum
Keeps Children Fully Engaged
Focus on Life Skills
(Empathy, Focus, Confidence)
Curriculum Style
Original storytelling curriculum designed to build cognitive and emotional skills alongside chess
What Kids Say About It
"I love King Chomper"
"Can I play more chess today?"
Traditional Chess Classes
Story-Based Curriculum
Designed for Ages 3+
Tutors Certified in Award-Winning Curriculum
Keeps Children Fully Engaged
Focus on Life Skills
(Empathy, Focus, Confidence)
Curriculum Style
Standard chess curriculum focuses on rules
What Kids Say About It
"It’s hard."
"Do I have to go?"
General Enrichment Program
Story-Based Curriculum
Designed for Ages 3+
Tutors Certified in Award-Winning Curriculum
Keeps Children Fully Engaged
Focus on Life Skills
(Empathy, Focus, Confidence)
Curriculum Style
Often not sequential or skills-based
What Kids Say About It
"It was fine."
"What was that again?"

The Benefits of Teaching Kids Chess

Through chess, children not only get a deep understanding of the game, but also valuable life skills that contribute to their personal and intellectual development.

Academic Performance

Chess enhances cognitive skills like memory and concentration, which translate into better academic outcomes.

A study by the University of Memphis found that chess-playing students improved their problem-solving abilities by 50%.

Critical Thinking

Chess requires players to analyze multiple possibilities, evaluate outcomes, and make decisions under pressure.

This trains kids to think critically and apply logical reasoning—a skill highly valued in problem-solving and decision-making situations.

Verbal Skills

Chess promotes strategic thinking, which can improve the ability to articulate ideas and arguments.

Research suggests that chess-playing children perform better in verbal reasoning tests, as the game encourages planning and foreseeing consequences—skills essential for effective communication.

Improves Test Scores

In the United States, a study conducted in New York City public schools found that students who participated in chess programs scored 10% higher on standardized math tests than their peers.

Chess strengthens problem-solving and logical reasoning skills, which are directly linked to academic performance.

Emotional Intelligence

Chess teaches kids to handle wins and losses gracefully, fostering resilience and self-regulation.

By learning to empathize with an opponent's moves and strategies, children also develop perspective-taking skills, which are crucial components of emotional intelligence.

Strengthens Academic Performance

Chess encourages kids to take ownership of their decisions on the board, fostering a sense of independence and self-reliance.

This confidence often extends beyond chess, helping them tackle challenges in academics, social situations, and life with greater assurance.

What parents are saying...

My daughter had no prior chess experience and immediately fell in love by going through Chess At Three's storytelling style of teaching!
Christine P.
If you are looking for an initial exposure to chess for your little one, this is absolutely the place for you.
Gina C.
Our kid has been loving her chess lessons. She's learning strategy now, and we've also seen improvements in attention span and patience.
Jenn C.
Our son LOVES learning and playing chess now !!!! His tutor makes it really fun for him.
- Patrick A
Our tutor is able to connect with our two hyperactive boys and get them to focus and significantly expand their chess capabilities.
- Rebecca S
The teachers have such wonderful rapport with the children and they clearly have a love of the game themselves.
- Jessica F
My son had a basic understanding of the game but with our teacher, he learned many new Chess moves and strategies.
- Christine K
Chess a Three is one of the most innovative approaches I've seen in education. I can't recommend them enough!
- Michael R
We are amazed at how quickly our kindergartener became obsessed with chess thanks to attending Story Time Chess club.
- Marg S
I have an Autistic teenage son. His amazing and patient coach keeps him interested during the entire session, which is no small feat.
- Martine D
Absolutely fabulous place with excellent teachers. Chess is one of the few things proven to increase kid's IQ's, so don't hesitate!
- Alyssa H
We're so impressed with the skill, confidence and knowledge of the game our kiddo had amassed after only a handful of classes.
- Marg S