Carnegie families · Sundays · First Week Free

Level-based chess coaching for kids — worth the drive from Carnegie

Momentum Chess runs weekly Sunday chess classes for kids aged 5-12 at 2 Livingston St, Highett — about 12 minutes' drive from Carnegie via North and Jasper Rds. Four level-based groups, including a proper Intermediate class, around ten kids per group, and your child's first week is free, then just $25 a lesson.

Rated 5 stars on Google (20+ reviews) · Over 70 local kids so far · WWCC coach

Outgrown the lunchtime chess club? This is the next step

Plenty of kids discover chess at a lunchtime school club — and then hit a ceiling. Twenty minutes of casual games a week is a lovely start, but keen players plateau quickly without someone actually teaching them tactics, openings and endgames, and without opponents at their own level. If your child is at Carnegie Primary or one of the nearby schools and has properly caught the chess bug, a structured weekly class is the natural next step. At Momentum Chess every child is placed in the group for their level — from complete beginners right up to a dedicated Intermediate class for kids comfortable playing full games — and moved up as they improve, so they're always stretched, never bored.

We'll be honest: from Carnegie it's about 12 minutes' drive, mostly straight down North Rd and Jasper Rd, to 2 Livingston St in Highett — just off Highett Rd near Highett station, with street parking on and around Livingston St. We think it's worth it, because structured, level-based Sunday chess classes for kids are hard to find on this side of Melbourne's south-east. Classes are drop-off, so once your child settles in you have a free hour, and everything is provided — boards, pieces and puzzles included. Over 70 kids have come through the program so far, it holds 5.0 stars on Google across 20+ reviews, and every group is taught by the coach, Gabriel Rips — a top-0.2% ranked player on Chess.com with a Working With Children Check.

Sunday class times at 2 Livingston St

Every child joins the group for their level — new players learn the moves from scratch, stronger players sharpen real tactics. Next intake starts Sunday 26 July 2026, and kids can join any week.

New to Chess

12:00 – 1:00pm

Still learning the rules. Ages ~5-8.

Beginner (Prep – Grade 2)

1:15 – 2:15pm

Knows the rules, ready to improve.

Beginner (Grade 3+)

2:30 – 3:30pm

Older beginners building real skills.

Intermediate

3:45 – 4:45pm

Comfortable playing full games.

What parents say

Gabriel is such an excellent instructor. Professional, engaging and approachable. My son is loving every chess class. Highly recommend.

— Amruta K.

This was incredible. My 6yo had his first session and is now in love with chess. Thank you Gabriel for bringing this joy into his life.

— Jaime H.

My 5 year old has been loving the chess classes with Gabriel. He has become much more confident since beginning the lessons at Momentum Chess!

— Aaron K.

Carnegie questions, answered

How long is the drive, and where do we park?

About 12 minutes — most families would head down North Rd and then Jasper Rd to Highett. The venue is at 2 Livingston St, just off Highett Rd near Highett station, and there's street parking on and around Livingston St. Classes are drop-off, so you can head off once your child is settled and come back at pick-up.

How much do the classes cost?

First lesson week is free so your child can try it; after that it’s $25 a lesson with no membership fees or lock-in. See the full pricing FAQ.

My child already plays in a school chess club — will a beginner class bore them?

No — the groups are strictly level-based. A school-club player would usually start in the Beginner (Grade 3+) group or, if they're already comfortable playing full games with all the rules, the Intermediate group at 3:45pm. Just register with a note about their experience and we'll place them in the right group — the free first week is a low-stakes way to check the fit.