Pioneering Online Chess Learning through Interactive Classroom Tech and Grandmaster Expertise
Learn. Practice. Compete.
India’s largest free chess-in-schools movement — a nationwide education drive to implement structured chess learning for every student in every school, at zero cost.
Momentum
8
States onboarded so far
Program Window
February – May 2026
3-month learning + evaluation cycle inside your school
Quote
“Chess should not belong to a few elite players. It should belong to every child in every classroom.”
— GM Gukesh
India’s Largest Free Chess-in-Schools Movement
NSCL is engineered as a national learning pipeline — not “just another tournament.” Schools plug in once, and CircleChess operationalizes the learning experience end-to-end.
Joint Initiative
Led by World Chess Champion GM Gukesh and CircleChess (India’s largest chess learning platform).
Zero Cost Rollout
Structured chess learning delivered to students completely free of cost.
Structured Program
3 months of learning + monthly tests, assignments, and performance dashboards for schools.
Recognition Flywheel
State qualifiers and a national finale drive participation, ownership, and sustained chess culture.
Program Window
February – May 2026
3 months of chess learning
Monthly tests and assignments
State-level qualifiers
Nationals finale
Limited schools per state will be onboarded (once-a-year national rollout).
The Path Every Student Follows
NSCL is a national learning pipeline delivered via the CircleChess online learning app.
-
1
Step 1 — School Registration
Your school enrolls into NSCL. All students get access to the CircleChess learning platform.
Ongoing throughout all 3 months
-
2
Month 1 — Fundamentals
Chessboard, pieces, moves, and basic checkmates.
National Online Test at month end
-
3
Month 2 — Game Understanding
Strategy, game analysis, and real match situations.
Second National Test
-
4
Month 3 — Competitive Thinking
Openings, captures, tactics, and planning.
Final National Test
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★
Month 4 — Competition Layer
State Qualifiers → National Finale
National Finale
Top 3 schools get Caissa School of Chess — live classes learning worth ₹5 Lakhs total.
Delivery Stack
Built to run at scale with high participation and low operational overhead for schools.
Structured online course
Clear progression from basics to competitive thinking.
Assignments after every lesson
Reinforces learning with measurable outcomes.
Weekend practice tournaments
Turns learning into habit through structured play.
Performance dashboards
Visibility for schools to drive engagement.
Monthly GM Masterclass
Every month, the Top 10 schools in India receive an exclusive live GM masterclass (based on national test scores & participation).
School Registration — How Schools Join NSCL 2026
Your school’s role is simple: Register • Nominate • Encourage. CircleChess operationalizes everything else.
Step 1
Register Your School
- Email: nscl@circlechess.com (share school name, city/state, and contact person)
- Online form: Register your school now
- Onboarding confirmation within 48 hours
Step 2
Receive Onboarding Kit
- • Official NSCL School ID
- • Student enrollment link
- • Learning calendar
Step 3
Nominate School Mentors
Schools may nominate senior or chess-playing students as NSCL mentors to:
- • Support junior learners
- • Encourage participation
- • Build chess culture on campus
Step 4
Begin Student Learning
Students enroll individually on the CircleChess platform and start immediately.
Join the National Movement
Be among the first schools in India to implement free chess for every student. NSCL 2026 is a once-a-year national rollout—only a limited number of schools per state will be onboarded.
What you unlock
Official NSCL Partner School status
Certificates signed by GM Gukesh & GM Vishnu Prasanna
National recognition & media visibility
Free, structured chess learning for all students
CTA
Secure your slot.
Bring NSCL to your school today and operationalize chess learning at scale.
Registration Link
https://forms.gle/gKZckn2gQY5Dj9NC7
