Register
All chess academy squads run on Saturday's weekly online. The academy does not run onsite. All squads start on Saturday 7 February 2026. The academy is open to both juniors and adults.
Before registering for the academy, you will need to choose which squad you would like to join. Squads are based on ability. Ability is determined by a players chess rating. Chess players get a chess rating by playing tournament games.
STEP 1 - CHECK YOUR RATING
If you think you have a chess rating, you can check by doing a Chess Power ratings search. You can also use your New Zealand Chess, Chess.com, LiChess.org rating.
NO RATING? NO PROBLEM - DO OUR SKILLS ASSESSMENT
If you do not have a chess rating, or you don't know what it is, do our skills assessment to get a rough estimate. Then return here to choose the right squad. The skills assessment covers rules, tactics, endgames, strategy and attacking ideas. The assessment takes around 15 minutes to complete.
STEP 2 - CHOOSE A SQUAD
Choose a squad that suits your skill level and the timing that works for you.
ROOKIES MORNING
0 - 300 rating
Sat 8:00am - 9:00am
ROOKIES AFTERNOON
0 - 300 rating
Sat 1:45pm - 2:45pm
SHARKS
150 - 450 rating
Sat 12:00 - 1:00pm
STAGE 1
300 - 600 rating
Sat 8:00 - 9:00am
STAGE 2
450 - 850 rating
Sat 3:00pm - 4:00pm
STAGE 3
600 - 1100 rating
Sat 11:15 - 12:15pm
STAGE 4
750 - 1350 rating
Sat 9:15 - 10:25am
STAGE 5
900 - 1450 rating
Sat 2:00pm - 3:20pm
STAGE 6
1050 - 1550 rating
Sat 9:15 - 10:35am
STAGE 7
1200 - 1650 rating
Sat 9:15 - 10:45am
STAGE 8
1300 - 1750 rating
Sat 11:00am - 12:30pm
STAGE 9
1400 - 1850 rating
Sat 9:15am - 10:45am
