Since 2021, the Elite Online Chess Club by Chess Rising Stars has provided a high-performance training ground for our most ambitious junior players.
Specially designed for students preparing for National and International tournaments, we work together on strategy, tactics and mindset. Grandmasters regularly make guest coaching appearances.
The Elite Club includes a current British U12 Champion, three Terafinal qualifiers and our members are regularly selected to represent the National Chess Junior Squad overseas.
To guarantee individualised attention and maintain the highest standard of coaching, membership is strictly limited to 6–10 students per term. Based on our students’ performance during the previous term, plus our sense of who would make the best use of the opportunity, we only offer places in this club by invitation.
Sunday Elite Chess Club
Time: 10:30-12:00 noon
Age: 8+
Class size: 6-10
Autumn Dates 2026
September: 20, 27
October: 4, 11, 18
November: 8, 15, 22, 29
December: 6
Cost
£21 per lesson when all 11 sessions are booked in advance
£26 per single lesson
Individual Achievements
• British U12 Standard and Rapid Champion 2026.
• Two Elite Club members are 2026 UK Chess Challenge Terafinal qualifiers: Southern Gigafinal U8 Champion and Northern Gigafinal U12 Champion.
• 1st= English Youth Championships U18 Open 2026
• Retained U14 Major title at the 2025 LJCC Finals on tie-break with an unbeaten 5/6.
• Double 1st place at the LJCC Finals 2024 in the U12 and U14 Major sections.
• 1st place in the U12 Boys category of the EJCOA National Youth Finals 2024.
Team Achievements
• In 2026, two current and two former members were selected for the National Chess Junior Squad trip to the Andorra Chess Open.
• Two were also selected for the joint EPSCA and Junior Squad trip to compete in the England v Flanders Youth Team Encounter.
• After finishing as Division 5 runners-up in our debut 4NCLO season in 2024, the Chess Rising Stars team went on to win both Division 4 and Division 3.
• From 2022-2025, Elite Club members achieved many successes in the Junior Four Nations Chess League Online (J4NCLO) team competition and were 7-time divisional champions and 3-time runners-up.
Teaching Approach
Our students are guided by internationally titled experts who know what it takes to succeed at the highest levels. Rather than following a rigid set curriculum, our coaches get to know their students and target their individual strengths and weaknesses.
For example, in the Spring Term 2026, GM Martin, Coach Chris and CM Tom organised an in-depth “Endgame Challenge” course focusing on practical and commonly occurring types of endgame.
Members receive homework guidance designed to encourage independent study. This includes opening database support and suggested chess books.
Coaches provide detailed game reviews and model effective analysis techniques to help students to develop good training habits.
Additional Information
• Sessions are led by FIDE Trainer GM Martin Petrov with guest lessons from Elite Club founder and FIDE Instructor Chris Russell, alongside appearances from GM Marian Petrov, GM Spyridon Kapnisis and CM Tom Villiers.
• International students from six countries have taken part in the Elite Club.
• Please check out our Parents’ Guides series: Junior Tournaments, ECF Membership and Chess Ratings.
• Map your child’s chess progress with Chess Rising Stars.
• Registration is open for our other Summer Term Online Chess Clubs, including the Rising Stars Online Club for local and regional tournament players.
Read our Terms and Conditions
