CRS London Academy to announce its participation in the Junior 4 Nations Chess League

Chess Rising StarsAugust 17, 2023April 13, 2024

Chess Rising Stars London Academy are thrilled to announce its participation in Season 8 of the Junior 4 Nations Chess League Online with not one, but three talented teams!

The 4NCL is a prestigious team chess event in the UK with £10,000 in cash prizes.

As J4NCLO veterans, we secured the Division 3 title in Season 7 and were Division 4 champions in both Seasons 5 and 6.

Discover how our top students have consistently achieved impressive results at local, county, and national levels, and watch your child’s chess skills soar to new heights with exemplary team spirit and competitive camaraderie.

J4NCLO serves as an ideal gateway to tournament chess, and our experienced students have successfully progressed to compete over the board. All competing juniors are required to become members of the English Chess Federation.

We can provide an introduction to the world of team chess competitions for your child.

CRS London Academy

Jan 06, 2025

4th Chess Rising Stars Grand Prix

To help prepare our students to compete beyond Chess Rising Stars, we are delighted to announce the return of our Online Grand Prix.

This term, our free Grand Prix tournaments are to be held on our lichess team page. Chess Rising Stars students, parents, and friends are all welcome to take part.

The tournaments will alternate between five rounds of 10+5 and seven rounds of 5+3.

Prizes

Trophies to be awarded in various categories (e.g. Top Girl, Rating prizes and Overall Champion). Your top 5 scores from the 6 Grand Prix events will count towards this.

A selection from the Chess Rising Stars library

Schedule

The online chess tournaments will take place on Sundays at 4 pm (GMT) in the Spring Term 2025:

26^th January = Warm-Up

2^nd February = Grand Prix 1

9^th February = Grand Prix 2

16^th February = Grand Prix 3

2^nd March = Grand Prix 4

9^th March = Grand Prix 5

16^th March = Grand Prix 6

Fair Play

To ensure the integrity of the Chess Rising Stars Online Grand Prix tournaments, we will use the lichess cheat detection system alongside the observation and judgment of our experienced coaching team.

Register Now

Drop us a message on the Chess Rising Stars lichess team page or an email to london@chessacademy.uk to get involved.

CRS London Academy, UK Chess News

Mar 02, 2026

Wimbledon Chess Rising Stars (5-8 y.o.)

Picture a room full of young children leaning over chessboards, sharing ideas and learning to think one step ahead. Chess at this age is less about competition and more about discovery. From April 2026, Wimbledon Chess Rising Stars will open a new Sunday club for 5 to 8 year olds taking their first steps into the world of chess.

The club will take place at William Morris House, Wimbledon on Sundays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. It is specifically tailored for younger children who are new to chess and would benefit from an engaging introduction to the game. No prior knowledge of chess is required. However, to ensure children settle in comfortably and keep pace with the group, we recommend that complete beginners join by week 3 of the term.

Our experienced and enthusiastic coaches specialise in teaching young learners. Children will learn the rules, develop good habits and begin to think strategically in a supportive and encouraging environment. As students gain experience and confidence, we will recommend they progress to our main Wimbledon Rising Stars Club, which runs from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the same venue.

Wimbledon Chess Rising Stars will be our fourth in-person Chess Rising Stars club and we are excited to bring this opportunity to more families in the area. We look forward to welcoming our newest young players to our chess community this April!

Full details

CRS London Academy

Nov 01, 2026

What Schools Can Expect From A Chess Rising Stars Club

A chess club can be a great addition to the school week, giving pupils an opportunity to discover a new interest and develop their skills. Whether they are completely new to the game or already enjoy playing competitively, there is always something new to learn.

At Chess Rising Stars, our school clubs give pupils a structured way to learn and improve. We have delivered chess clubs in London schools since 2017 and this term we are coaching over 400 pupils across 8 schools.

Learning and progressing through chess

Our structured curriculum helps pupils develop their chess skills at a pace that suits their experience. Beginners start by learning the rules and how the pieces move. As they progress, they explore tactics, recognise threats and develop strategic thinking.

Lessons combine coach-led explanations with puzzles and mini-games. Supervised games give pupils time to apply what they have learned. Coaches adapt activities to different ability levels, so beginners can build confidence while experienced players continue to develop. Progress is about more than winning. Pupils learn to reflect on their decisions and understand how they can improve.

Opportunities beyond weekly lessons

Chess Rising Stars have experience planning and teaching longer workshop sessions for pupils. A chess workshop is an excellent addition to an ‘activities week’ or end of term programme. We have also organised internal tournaments, including a House Chess Competition, where pupils can represent their house and put their skills into practice in a friendly competitive setting.

Pupils who want to take chess further can work towards friendly matches with other schools and suitable individual local tournaments. Chess Rising Stars also run our own junior tournament in Wimbledon each term which acts as a qualifier for national-level competition.

2nd EJCOA Zonal – Chess Rising Stars

A practical offer for schools

We work with school staff to agree a format that fits their timetable and pupils’ needs. Sessions can run at breakfast, lunchtime or after school. Equipment can be arranged at a discounted rate through our supplier.

Our coaches hold current enhanced DBS checks and relevant safeguarding certifications. A termly updated cover rota helps maintain continuity when a coach is absent. Schools can also request our school information pack, which includes further relevant information about our provision, policies and insurance.

Getting started

The first step is a conversation about your pupils, available space and preferred session times. We can then discuss the most suitable option, whether that is a weekly club, a workshop or a tailored programme that includes access to competitions.

To find out more, visit our updated Chess in Schools in London page or email london@chessacademy.uk. We would be pleased to discuss your school’s requirements.

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