Whether your child has never touched a chessboard or already loves a good game, there's a place for them at the table. Every Sunday, a small group sits down to play. One idea is taught at the start, then they play it out with a coach moving between the boards.
Small groups · Beginners welcome · Boards and clocks supplied
The shape is the same every week, so a child always knows what is coming and a first-timer is never behind.
Everyone starts on the same position on the big board. Two minutes, no pressure, every answer heard.
A single thing taught plainly: a way to open, a trap worth knowing, a pattern that wins an endgame.
Games with that idea in hand, paired so the match is fair, with the coach at the boards.
One position goes back up and the group works out what happened. Nobody is named the loser.
Children who have never played, and children who already beat everyone at home. They are paired by where they are, which changes week to week.
Starts with the board and how each piece moves, then plays a real game in the same hour.
Knows the moves, loses to the same mistakes. This is where the weekly idea does the most work.
Harder puzzles, tougher pairings and the job of explaining a position to someone else.
Choose a Sunday and tap Book. You pay in Square and the confirmation comes by email. Each class is complete on its own.
Coming for art too? Art finishes at 12:30, the break is supervised, and chess starts at 1. See the whole Sunday.
$30 a class, ages 7 to 12.
Or buy four chess classes for $100, valid for twelve months. Booked through Square.
Every class is led by someone who does it for a living, with a La Vita Nova team member in the room throughout.
A current Victorian Working with Children Check for every adult working with the children.
Eight children at most in art, twelve in chess and in The Founder's Studio.
Children are only released to the people you name on the enrolment form.
Allergies, medical needs and emergency contacts are collected before a first class.
No. Every week starts from a position anyone can look at, and a first-timer plays a real game in their first hour. Children are paired by where they are, so a beginner never sits opposite the strongest player in the room.
The weekly idea is pitched at the middle of the room, but the puzzles, the pairings and the job of explaining a position are scaled up for a stronger player. If your child is preparing for rated tournaments, we are happy to suggest a club.
Not here. A seven-year-old starts on the board and the moves and plays a real game the same hour, alongside older children who are paired to suit them.
Yes, and many do. Art finishes at 12:30, chess starts at 1, and the half hour between is supervised. Pack a lunchbox.
Tell us 24 hours ahead and we will move your child to another Sunday or refund you. If your child is unwell, we will move it at no charge, whenever you tell us. Email info@lavitanova.com.au.