Question 1

What is Happy Pawn Chess Club?

Accepted Answer

Happy Pawn is Bangkok's premier chess school for kids, offering private lessons, online sessions, group classes, chess & coding camps, and competitive tournaments. Founded in 2019 by Sébastien Ferrand, we have taught over 500 students and delivered more than 10,000 classes.

Question 2

What ages do you cater to?

Accepted Answer

We welcome students aged 3 to adults, with programs specially designed to be playful and engaging for the youngest learners. Our Chess Story Time sessions start from age 3.

Question 3

How do I enrol my child?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way is to book a free trial lesson via our Contact page. You can also reach us on WhatsApp (+66 62 363 6695) or Facebook Messenger. The first lesson is always free!

Question 4

Who are the instructors?

Accepted Answer

Our team of 20+ staff includes highly skilled chess coaches from diverse backgrounds, covering beginner through advanced levels. All coaches are experienced in working with children.

Question 5

What types of lessons do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer private home lessons, online private sessions, on-site group classes at partner schools, one-day chess camps, and five-day chess & coding camps during school holidays.

Question 6

Do you provide feedback after every lesson?

Accepted Answer

Yes — parents receive detailed feedback after every lesson, keeping you informed about your child's progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.

Question 7

Is there a program for very young children (3–5)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our Chess Story Time sessions combine storytelling with chess piece introductions, making the game accessible and magical for our youngest students. We use a token-based reward system to keep motivation high.

Question 8

How does payment work?

Accepted Answer

We use a pay-forward credit system. You purchase a pack of credits in advance, and each class deducts credits from your balance. Credits never expire and can be bought separately at 250 THB per credit.

Question 9

Can credits be transferred or refunded?

Accepted Answer

Credits are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another student. Each credit package is valid for one student only.

Question 10

What activities and events do you organise?

Accepted Answer

We run one-day chess camps, multi-day chess & coding camps during school holidays, in-person tournaments at Alliance Française Bangkok, and an online tournament on Lichess.org.

Question 11

What is the tournament format?

Accepted Answer

Our tournaments use the Swiss-Dutch system with 15+10 time control (15 minutes + 10-second increment per move). Categories: U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16. Medals for top 3 in each category, trophies for top 3 in U10 and U16.

Question 12

My child has never played — can they join a tournament?

Accepted Answer

We recommend a few lessons first so your child understands the basic rules, but there is no minimum rating required.

Question 13

What is the points and rewards system?

Accepted Answer

Students earn points (and tokens) for every activity: lessons, homework, tournaments, and events. Points drive the leaderboard; tokens can be redeemed in the rewards shop for items like chess sets, magazines, stickers, and more.

Question 14

What is the Armor System?

Accepted Answer

Our Armor Curriculum is similar to a belt system in martial arts. Students unlock new armor levels by completing 250+ challenges, demonstrating consistent progress and mastery of chess concepts.

Frequently asked questions

General

Lessons & Programs

Payments & Credits

Events & Tournaments

Points & Rewards

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