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Membership

Up-front and save or a convenient plan

Joining a NZ Chess Academy training squad is a significant commitment to chess. It involves a number of activities designed to rapidly improve your skills.

The fees and time involved increase as each stage progress. If you are interested in making an enquiry, just fill out our enquiry form and we will be in touch with you.
We can arrange for your membership to be paid through a convenient monthly direct-debit. Membership runs from February to December and each year and even runs through the school holidays.
Note payments are not based on attendance but rather on membership.
11 monthly payments are required as the program runs from February - December.
You can also pay up front with an one-off annual lump sum payment. This option is discounted.
Players may withdraw from the Training Squad at any time subject to 7 days written notice and in some cases a cancellation fee. No refunds will be given.

For most Squad Members this will replace the regular school club or after-school club that you attend - most likely you're one of the better players in that class anyway and it's time to move on to the next challenge.

The Training Squad is designed for students that are highly passionate about chess, and ideally for those who are prepared to make a full-year commitment.

Acceptance into a squad is based on our opinion of an applicant's current ability, positive attitude and future potential. Not all applicants will be offered a place in a Squad. There are limited places in each squad.

Deep in thought


Membership Features

Your membership includes the following:

  • Weekly Squad Meetings. View the Squad Info page to see days and times for each squad.
  • Access to our online academy combat arena for weekly tournament games
  • 24/7 access to lesson archives including hundreds of professional videos and self-study puzzle worksheets
  • Quarterly Progress Assessments
  • Email, phone and messenger access to your Head Coach
  • Coaching at pre-arranged tournaments
  • NZCA Platinum discount card - gives you 10% off all tournaments and Chess equipment
    (Sarapu Cup, Chess Sets, Books, Clocks and more)


Stage Progression

Each stage builds on the previous Stage. If you are new to chess, we recommend you start at the Rookies stage if you can. All squads meet online. 

Academy Pricing

SQUADS

ROOKIES

SHARKS

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

STAGE 4

STAGE 5

STAGE 6

STAGE 7

STAGE 8

Recommended Rating Range 0 - 300 150 - 450 300 - 600 450 - 850 600 - 1100 750 - 1350 900 - 1450 1050 - 1550 1200 - 1650 1300 - 1750
Duration of Squad meets 50 minutes 1 hour 1 hour 1 hour
10 mins
1 hour
20 mins
1 hour 30 mins 1 hour 30 mins 1 hour 30 mins 1 hour 30 mins 1 hour 30 mins

Monthly Fee*

$94 / month $99 / month $105 / month $115 / month $126 / month $136 / month $147 / month $157 / month $168 / month $178 / month
or Annual Lump Sum Fee $846 $893 $941 $1036 $1131 $1226 $1321 $1416 $1511 $1606
* 11 monthly payments are payable from Feb through to Dec inclusive