Chess Lessons for Beginners

 

~ A three-session course covering everything from how the pieces move to playing a game ~

 

Why not give chess a go?

This beginner-friendly course covers everything from how the pieces move to playing a game, all in three enjoyable sessions.

Even if you don’t know the rules, you’re more than welcome to join us.

Regulations

Date/Venue

Date:  Sunday 18 October, Sunday 15 November and Sunday 20 December (three days in total)

All sessions: 10:00 – 11:30

*Please ensure you have checked in at least 10 minutes before the start time.

 

  Venue: Chess Center UENO

2-11-3-101 Kita-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Iriya station 8 minutes by walking

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Inaricho station 9 minutes by walking

JR/Tokyo Metro Ueno station 11 minutes by walking

 

Lecturer

Otani Takuya 

Born in 1986. He began playing competitive chess at the age of 20 and has won numerous awards, including the Group A title at the 2026 Golden Week Open. He runs ‘Tokyo Chess School Square’ and ‘Chess Club Square’, a chess club for beginners. He has also spent many years working in the field of child welfare, supporting children and families raising children. He is a psychological therapist and a certified child development support specialist.

 

 

Target Audience

Anyone interested in chess

Anyone who would like to try playing chess

Complete beginners and those with no prior experience are welcome

 

Course Content

You will learn everything from the basic rules—such as how to set up the board and move the pieces—to the rules required for actual play, such as castling and promotion, as well as opening strategies, how to achieve checkmate, and the fundamentals of attack and defence.

The course incorporates practice games alongside lectures, allowing you to learn in a fun way whilst actually moving the pieces.

*Please note that the course content may be subject to minor changes depending on how the course progresses.

*All lectures will be conducted in Japanese.

 

Fee and Registration

Participation fee: ¥4,500 (including tax) for all three sessions

 

Please purchase a ticket via [Peatix] during the registration period [Limited to 12 participants]

*Please present the QR code displayed on your e-ticket upon arrival

*Peatix will be selling ‘Waiting List Tickets’ at the same price as ‘Participation Tickets’.

* Regarding ‘Waiting List Tickets’

‘Waiting List Tickets’ can only be purchased once the event has reached capacity and standard tickets are sold out. Should a cancellation occur, participants will be admitted to the event in the order in which they purchased their ‘Waiting List Tickets’, and the purchase price will be applied directly towards the entry fee.

If your turn on the waiting list does not come up, the purchase price will be refunded.

Please note that if a ‘Waiting List Ticket’ purchaser becomes eligible to participate, they will be notified via the email address provided during registration.

 

Registration Period: From 18:00 on August 25, 2026 to 23:59 on October 17, 2026

 

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your participation in the tournament, you must notify us via email at  japanchess.info@gmail.com.

Cancellations made by October 10 (8 days before the lecture), 2026 : Full refund

Cancellations made on or after October 11 (7 days before the lecture), 2026

・No refund under any circumstances

・If the tournament is canceled due to natural disasters or organizer-related reasons, alternative measures will be considered.

All refunds will be processed according to Peatix’s regulations. 

Q&A

Q. Is there a waiting room?

A. There is no waiting room. Only one accompanying guardian is permitted to watch the event at the venue.

Q. Can I eat or drink at the venue?

A. On the day of the event, you may eat and drink inside Chess Center UENO.

Q. Is there anything I need to bring on the day?

A. Please bring writing materials with you.

Others

• To protect privacy, taking photographs of other participants without their consent is prohibited.
• The organisers may take photographs and record video footage of the event. These may be published or used on media managed by the Japan Chess Federation, such as websites, social media, video-sharing sites and official publications. Participants are deemed to have consented to the publication of these photographs and videos.

　* Please notify us in advance if you do not consent to being photographed or filmed.

• If you are running late or unable to attend, please contact info.chesscenterueno@gmail.com.
• Please refer to the ‘Cancellation Policy’ regarding refunds of participation fees.
• The Japan Chess Federation shall not be responsible for any troubles between individuals.
• If there is a discrepancy between English and Japanese, the Japanese version prevails.