CRS London Academy
Chess Rising Stars

Starting in September 2025, the Chelsea Chess Club will introduce weekly ECF rated rapid games as part of our regular sessions.

This opportunity will be available for students in the top group of the club. We will help our advanced students take a step forward by giving them the chance to gain official ratings and prepare for competitive play beyond Chess Rising Stars.

To participate in ECF rated games, students must be registered with the English Chess Federation. For parents new to ECF membership, we’re here to guide you through the registration process. Read our article on how to get started.

Games will be overseen by our highly qualified coaching team – five of whom are now certified ECF Arbiters. Their expertise will ensure each rated game meets official standards of play and sportsmanship, all within a supportive learning environment.

Our Chelsea Chess Club is already recognised at Level 2 within the English Chess Federation’s Junior Development Pathway scheme. This new initiative is another way Chess Rising Stars is helping our young players grow in skill and confidence.

Related Post

CRS London Academy
Apr 19, 2025

ECF Rating Milestones

We’re careful when it comes to chess ratings. It’s easy to lose sight of improvement, focus on the number and forget what’s important: study, study, study (and have fun)!

With that said, we felt that two students crossing the 2000 rating barrier in the same month is worth celebrating. It’s a first for Chess Rising Stars and it happened twice in one month.

Entering the 2000s

Noah and James both achieved personal best standard ratings in the English Chess Federation’s April Rating List. Their new 2000+ ratings put them both comfortably into the top thousand ECF ranked players, including adults.

It was a great month across the board for Chess Rising Stars, as we now have five students ranked in the Top 20 in their age category on the ECF Rating Database.

Noah at the ‘Chess Talents Tournament’ in Frydek-Mistek

Near Misses

The alcohol-free champagne is on ice for Ashwin and Aden! They’ve both been making excellent progress and, with ratings in the 1900s, will surely join the 2000 club soon.

We’re proud of what our students have achieved and look forward to seeing what the May list brings.

Learn More

Track Chess Rising Stars progress on our ratings page

Check our comprehensive chess ratings guide for parents

Noah and James are both members of our Elite Online Chess Club

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CRS London Academy, UK Chess News
Oct 20, 2026

UK Chess Challenge Terafinal 2026

The UK Chess Challenge Terafinal returned to Blenheim Palace for the 2026 edition. More than 10,000 children competed in the earlier rounds with just 60 finalists remaining: 12 in each of five age categories. Five current and two former Chess Rising Stars students qualified, which is a new record for us. 

Yuk Hei secured his place in the U14s at the last minute, winning the Challengers in Peterborough on tie-break after scoring 7/9. Below, WFM Sarah Longson presents his trophy and invitation to the Terafinal.


Few junior tournaments can rival the setting of the Terafinal. Blenheim Palace provides a fittingly regal backdrop for the royal game! Coach Chris visited our students over the weekend to offer his encouragement. He soon realised that the parents and coaches were, if anything, more nervous than the children.

In an attempt to settle their nerves, Chris joined Aden’s dad for a walk across the palace grounds to the aptly named Column of Victory, a 41-metre monument to the Duke of Marlborough, completed in 1731. Suitably impressed, they managed to resist checking the live boards for nearly an hour!


The format was demanding, 11 rounds of rapid across the weekend in a round-robin. The high standard of preparation was evident from the first round, with many players trying a variety of fresh opening lines. 

Aden finished a fantastic 2nd place in the U12 category with 9/11, matched by Martin who also finished 2nd with 9/11 in the U8s. Our other students also enjoyed notable victories and came close to further successes, gaining valuable experience to build on in future tournaments.


Many congratulations to our current students Yuk Hei, Aden, Jorge, Martin and Tristan. Reaching the Terafinal was outstanding and we are excited to see how they continue to develop as players.

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CRS London Academy
Jun 25, 2024

Summer Holiday Online Chess Club

Summer feels like it’s finally arrived here in London. 28℃ today and forecast to be even hotter tomorrow!

With the school holidays around the corner the Chess Rising Stars Summer Holiday Online Club is returning for its 3rd year.

The club is open to children aged between 6 and 14 of all chess levels. It’s an ideal companion course to our school and online clubs in term-time.

Lessons will have a mixture of small-group tuition, friendly games and an internal tournament. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the term for the tournament winners, as well as those who have shown particular improvement and enthusiasm.

Details for Parents:

Day: Sundays
Time: 10:30-12:00pm
Group Size: 6-12
Age: 6+
Coaches: Savvas Manelidis and WFM Maria Manelidou
Cost: £24 per single lesson
7-Lesson Discount: £18 per lesson

Confirmed Dates

July: 14, 21, 28
August: 4, 11, 18, 25

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