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.
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
• 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.
• Elite Club members reached the Terafinal of the UK Chess Challenge in 2023 and returned as 3rd and 7th place finishers.
Team Achievements
• In 2026, two members were 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.
• Two members were selected for the EPSCA South West England team, plus one for the South East England team, to face Wales in 2024.
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.
In the Spring Term 2026, GM Martin, Coach Chris and CM Tom organised an “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 and GM Spyridon Kapnisis.
• This is an international club with children from 5 different countries having taken part.
• 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
