Frequently Asked Questions

There is no minimum age to start learning chess! Children as young as 4 or 5 can begin learning the basics, and many of our junior players start at that age. We offer classes for all skill levels and ages, from beginners to advanced players. 

Absolutely! We welcome players of all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have experience, we’ll provide the coaching and support you need to improve your game. 

Yes, we offer both in-person and online coaching. Our online lessons are designed to give players the flexibility to learn from home while still receiving expert guidance. 

We host regular FIDE and ECF-rated tournaments, as well as fun, informal events. The frequency of tournaments may vary, so be sure to check our events page or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated. 

You can register for upcoming tournaments via our website. Simply visit the events page, select the tournament you'd like to participate in, and follow the registration instructions. 

It’s natural to feel a little nervous! Our tournaments are welcoming and designed for players of all levels. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced competitor, our supportive community and coaching staff are here to help you every step of the way. 

Yes! Our venue is available for private events, including chess tournaments, social gatherings, parties, and more. Check our "Hire Our Venue" page for more details on booking your next event with us. 

To enter a tournament at UK Chess Academy, simply visit our Events Page, where you’ll find a list of upcoming tournaments and events. Each tournament will have a registration form that you can fill out online. After submitting your registration, please ensure your payment is processed to complete the registration. 

Entry to any event is a two-stage process:
1. Complete the online entry form.
2. Pay the entry fee by bank transfer (details on each entry form).
Your entry is not confirmed until payment has been received. 

Once we receive your completed registration form and the correct entry fee, your name will be added to the players list within 24–48 hours.

The appearance of your name on the list serves as your official confirmation.
Please visit our website and check the “Entrants” section on chess-results.com to verify your entry.

Due to limited venue capacity, we highly recommend registering in advance to secure your place. Depending on the tournament, last-minute registrations may be accepted; however, a late entry fee may apply. If you plan to register on the day of the event, please contact us beforehand to confirm availability.

Payments for tournaments are accepted via bank transfer only. When you register for a tournament, you will find all bank details on the same entry form of the event also after submitting welcome page will contain all payment details to complete your payment. 

 processed before the tournament to guarantee your entry. 

We understand that plans can change.
If you are unable to attend after registering, please notify us as soon as possible.

We can either transfer your entry to the next edition or issue a refund (an administrative fee may apply), depending on the timing and circumstances.

Yes, beginners and non-rated players can participate in most of our tournaments. However, certain tournaments may have a minimum rating requirement. If you are new to competitive chess, we recommend starting with our more casual events before progressing to rated tournaments. 

We welcome players of all ages! Our tournaments often feature different categories for age groups, such as junior and senior sections. Please check the tournament details for specific age restrictions or rating limited sections. 

Tournament results will be published on our website after each event. We will also update the results on chess-results.com. 

You can stay updated on upcoming tournaments by following us on social media. We also regularly update our events page on the website, where you can find all our upcoming competitions. 

 A FIDE ID is a unique number assigned to chess players by FIDE (the International Chess Federation). It is created after a player competes in their first FIDE-rated tournament and links to their official FIDE profile, showing their name, country, ratings (standard, rapid, blitz), titles, and tournament history.

Think of it as your personal chess passport in the international chess world !

A player must obtain a FIDE ID before registering and playing in their first FIDE-rated tournament. To get a FIDE ID, players need to contact their national federation.

• In the UK, this means contacting the English Chess Federation, Welsh Chess Union, or Scottish Chess Federation.
• The federation will then apply for and issue a FIDE ID on the player's behalf.

To acquire a FIDE or ECF rating, you must participate in rated tournaments that are officially registered with FIDE or the ECF. You can find a list of upcoming FIDE-rated tournaments here: FIDE Calendar. Similarly, you can check out the ECF-rated events listed here: ECF Calendar. 

FIDE ID is FREE must be issued through your national federation (e.g., ECF, WCU, or SCF).

To participate in FIDE and ECF-rated events in England, you must hold a valid ECF Gold Membership.

For more information on how to register or renew your ECF membership, please visit ECF Membership.

FIDE ratings are internationally recognised and apply to players from all countries that are members of FIDE. They are typically used for international tournaments and events.

ECF ratings are specific to England and are used mainly for domestic tournaments.

Please note:
If a player has an ECF rating but does not have a FIDE rating, they will be considered unrated (FIDE 0) when participating in FIDE-rated events. Their ECF rating will not be taken into account for FIDE events.