The top chess academies in Pune include Envision Chess Academy (live online classes in English and Hindi for families across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad), Kunte's Chess Academy, run by Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte and WIM Mrunalini Kunte, the newer SW Chess Academy in Wagholi, and Chess Gaja, an online academy led by a grandmaster. Pune has a strong chess tradition, so there is good coaching for every level.
How we compared chess academies in Pune
- Location and format - which part of the city, and whether classes are offline, online or both.
- Who it suits - young beginners, school-age improvers or competitive players.
- Structure - a defined syllabus and levels rather than open-ended sessions.
- Coaching - coach credentials and results that can be checked publicly.
- Practice and competition - homework, tournaments and game review.
Chess academies in Pune at a glance
| Academy | Area | Format | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envision Chess Academy | Online, anywhere in Pune | Live online (offline in Kolkata) | Beginners to rated players who want a structured syllabus at home |
| Kunte's Chess Academy | Kothrud, with other branches | Offline and online | Beginners to competitive players |
| SW Chess Academy | Wagholi | Offline and online | Families in east Pune |
| Chess Gaja | Online (Pune address) | Online | Players who want grandmaster-led online classes |
1. Envision Chess Academy - live online chess classes for Pune
Envision Chess Academy teaches families in Pune through live online classes - never recordings - on one published syllabus of 240 sessions across five stages, from the first move to elite competitive play. Children attend two classes a week, get homework a coach reviews and play weekly academy tournaments, all inside one portal that parents can see. Classes are taught in English and Hindi, and families join from Kothrud, Baner, Aundh, Hinjewadi and across the city. See online chess classes in Pune for how classes work for Pune families.
Offline centres in Kolkata
The same courses run in person at Envision's 4 centres in Kolkata - Bowbazar, Haridevpur, Jodhpur Park, New Alipore - for families in or moving to the city. Students can switch between online and offline classes without starting again, because both follow the same ladder. See the chess academy in Kolkata page for addresses and batch timings, or our guide to the top chess academies in Kolkata.
What sets Envision apart
- A published syllabus - every session of the Beginner Chess Course and the rest of the online chess coaching courses is listed in full.
- Placement by assessment - a free demo class places each child at the right session.
- No commute - classes continue through traffic, weather and travel.
- Verified results from students across India and abroad - see our student success stories.
2. Kunte's Chess Academy
Founded in 2007 and run by WIM Mrunalini Kunte and Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, Kunte's Chess Academy is one of Pune's best-known chess schools. According to its website, classes are grouped by playing strength with no more than twelve students, the main centre is in Kothrud, and it also offers online coaching, camps and chess-in-schools programmes. ChessBase India marked its tenth anniversary.
3. SW Chess Academy
According to ChessBase India, SW Chess Academy was founded by National Instructor Satyam Warude and opened in Wagholi in 2026, offering online and offline training.
4. Chess Gaja
Chess Gaja is an online academy led by Grandmaster Priyadharshan Kannappan, according to its website, with FIDE-rated coaches and a Pune address.
How to choose a chess academy in Pune
Pune families often balance chess against a demanding school calendar, so look for an academy whose timings fit exam seasons as well as normal weeks. If the best academy for your child's level is across town - Kothrud to Kharadi, or Pimpri to Hadapsar - an online option on a fixed schedule may be easier to sustain.
- Decide on the format first - local offline classes, online classes, or a mix. Our comparison of online vs offline chess classes helps.
- Match the academy to your child's level - beginners and competitive juniors need different things.
- Ask to see the syllabus and what your child would learn in the next two months.
- Book a trial or demo class at two or three academies and watch how your child responds.
- Ask how progress is shown - homework, tournaments and reports.
Our checklist on how to choose a chess coach covers each point in detail, and parents in Pune may also find how to balance chess and studies useful.
Chess academy guides for other cities
We have written the same kind of guide for other cities: top chess academies in Mumbai, top chess academies in Delhi, top chess academies in Bangalore, top chess academies in Hyderabad, top chess academies in Chennai, top chess academies in Ahmedabad, and the top chess academies in Kolkata, where Envision also teaches in person.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the top chess academies in Pune?
Options include Envision Chess Academy's live online classes and local academies such as Kunte's Chess Academy, SW Chess Academy, Chess Gaja. The best choice depends on your area, your child's age and level, and whether you want online or offline classes.
Does Envision have a chess centre in Pune?
No. Envision teaches families in Pune through live online classes. Its offline centres are in Kolkata - Bowbazar, Haridevpur, Jodhpur Park, New Alipore - and both formats follow the same 240-session syllabus.
Is there a chess academy in Pune run by a grandmaster?
Yes. Kunte's Chess Academy is run by Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte and WIM Mrunalini Kunte, and Chess Gaja is an online academy led by a grandmaster.
How do I choose between chess academies in Pune?
Start with location and format, then compare the syllabus, coach credentials, batch size, homework and tournaments. Book trial classes at your shortlisted academies and see which one your child is keen to return to.