Norwest Chess Academy

Welcome to Norwest Chess Academy, a chess coaching solution for children located in Cherrybrook. At Norwest Chess Academy, we believe that every child should have a seat at the chess table. We have introduced chess as a learning activity into schools, as it helps children concentrate, think ahead, and think abstractly. Chess also encourages children to consider their options, plan, and develop strategies.

We emphasise the importance of learning from mistakes and analysing games to understand what worked and what didn't.

Our goal is to promote chess and deliver high-quality chess coaching in the early education environment. With our “Stepping Programme”, we ensure that learning and playing chess is fun and stimulating for children of all ages and skill levels. Our enthusiastic coaching staff is experienced and trained in teaching children, providing them with inspiration, encouragement, and a passion for chess.

Michael Zhou, the founder of Norwest Chess Academy, is a professional chess player with 15 years of experience and has been coaching in Australia for 20 years. As a coach, he emphasises the importance of sportsmanship and resilience, teaching children how to gracefully deal with difficult situations that build important life skills.

Chess offers various benefits for children, including improving concentration and focus, enhancing memory and self-confidence, developing logical thinking and problem-solving skills, enhancing self-discipline, and encouraging children to accept losing games with grace. Additionally, chess serves as an engaging alternative to spending excessive time on iPad games.

Our core programme adopts the European Chess Stepping Programme, which is known for its systematic approach to learning chess. Students are placed in groups based on their skill level and age, and the complexity of lessons increases as their skills develop. Each class is structured to ensure that all students benefit as much as possible.

We offer different classes to cater to children of different ages and skill levels. Our beginner class is designed for children aged 5–7 years and focuses on introducing them to the fundamental concepts and principles of chess. The basic class, for children aged 8–10 years, aims to strengthen foundation concepts, improve chess tactics, and explore more considerations for attacking and defending. The intermediate class, for children aged 10 years and older, is suited for those with a strong interest in chess and a desire to become competitive players.

This class covers advanced topics such as thinking ahead, chess strategies, and position evaluations.

Whether your child is a beginner or an experienced player, Norwest Chess Academy is committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment where they can develop their chess skills and grow as individuals. Join us at Norwest Chess Academy and believe in your move!