A chess education access initiative
Every Child Deserves a First Move.
Give a child the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve through structured chess education. Just ₹500 can open the door to a complete learning journey.
1,00,000 children
in 3 years
Our mission across India
7 Levels
Foundation to Expert
Our mission
Target1,00,000 children3years to reach them
Structured chess education for 1 lakh underprivileged children and government school students across India.
7 Levels
Foundation to Expert: ChessMethod's structured certification path
Verifiable certificates
Earned by passing a webcam-proctored exam, each with a unique verification code.
Target figures are mission goals, not results achieved. Verified outcomes will be published as the programme progresses.
Why First Move
Potential Shouldn't Depend on Privilege.
Every child deserves access to high-quality learning opportunities, whatever their family's financial background. Yet structured programmes beyond the core syllabus often reach only those who can pay for them.
Chess is a simple, low-cost way to bring that kind of structured learning into any classroom. Every game gives children a chance to practise focus, plan ahead, solve problems and take responsibility for their decisions.
Concentration
Practise staying with one problem long enough to see it clearly.
Planning
Think a few steps ahead and weigh what each choice leads to.
Decision-making
Choose a move, live with the result, and learn from it.
What every licence includes
One Licence. A Complete Learning Journey.
Each sponsored learner receives full access to ChessMethod's structured programme — not a single class or a one-off event.
- 01
Seven Structured Learning Levels
Foundation, Beginner, Improver, Intermediate, Skilled, Advanced and Expert: a clear path where every learner knows what comes next.
- 02
Interactive Chess Lessons
Short, guided lessons that explain an idea, then let the learner try it straight away.
- 03
Puzzles and Practice Activities
Hands-on exercises that turn each concept into a habit through repetition and feedback.
- 04
Multiple-Choice Assessments
Regular checks that show learners — and teachers — what has been understood.
- 05
Mock Examinations
Practice under exam-like conditions before attempting the official examination.
- 06
Official Proctored Exam & Certification Opportunity
An opportunity to sit the webcam-proctored exam and earn a certificate with a unique verification code.
Certificates are earned, not bundled. A certificate is issued only after a student successfully passes the relevant official examination. A licence provides the opportunity — the achievement belongs to the child.
How First Move works
From one contribution to a growing learner.
A simple, transparent journey — every step is tracked so sponsors can see how their support turns into learning.
Step 1
Sponsor a learner
Choose how many children to support — from a single learner upwards, at ₹500 each.
Step 2
We verify schools and students
Schools apply and are reviewed for eligibility and readiness, including device and internet access.
Step 3
Licences are allocated
Funded licences are assigned to verified students at participating schools.
Step 4
Children learn and practise
Learners progress through lessons, puzzles, assessments and mock exams on ChessMethod.
Step 5
Sponsors track outcomes
Aggregate reports show allocation, engagement, exams attempted and certificates earned.
The ChessMethod curriculum
Seven Levels. Endless Possibilities.
Seven certification levels, from Foundation to Expert. Explore how a sponsored learner progresses through each rating band.
Level 1 of 7
Foundation
Rating Under 600Learners meet the board and every piece, learn how pieces attack and capture, and how a game is won, drawn or lost.
Chapters
- Introduction to Chess
- Chess Pieces
- Attack and Capture
- What is check and how to escape it
- Checkmate, stalemate and the result
Practice
- Interactive lesson activities
- Practice sets of ten activities per chapter, easiest first
- Multiple-choice checks
Assessment pathway
- 1Lesson checks throughout Level 1
- 2Multiple-choice assessments
- 3Mock examination
- 4Webcam-proctored certification exam — verifiable certificate on passing
Inside ChessMethod
What a sponsored student actually uses.
These are real screens from the ChessMethod learning platform that every First Move licence unlocks.
Screenshot from the ChessMethod platform
100+ languages
Chess, explained in the language a child thinks in.
A child learns fastest in a familiar language. ChessMethod is available in 100+ languages, so students can learn in Hindi, Tamil and many more, working through the same lessons and practice. Language never stands between a learner and the game.
See the same lesson in:
100+ languages, including
- English
- हिन्दी
- தமிழ்
- Français
- Español
- العربية
- Slovenščina
- + many more
The same ChessMethod lesson in Tamil. Screenshot from the platform.
Sponsor learners
How Many Futures Will You Help Shape?
Every $6 funds one complete learner licence. Choose a number below — start from just one child.
Sponsor from 1 child.
Your sponsorship
10 children
$60
Review everything before any payment step
For companies & institutions
Create Lasting Impact Together.
Sponsor a cohort of learners and receive aggregate reports on funded licences, learning engagement and certification achievements.
- Aggregate dashboards for licences, engagement and exams
- Periodic impact reports for your stakeholders
- Optional public acknowledgement on First Move
Classroom Sponsor
25 children
$150
Roughly one classroom of learners begins a structured chess journey.
Choose package- Recommended
School Sponsor
100 children
$600
A meaningful cohort across one or more schools in the programme.
Choose package Community Sponsor
500 children
$3,000
Broad reach across multiple verified schools and districts.
Choose packageLarge-Scale Impact Partner
1,000 children
$6,000
A flagship commitment supporting learners at scale across regions.
Choose package
Packages fund a number of learner licences. Licences are allocated to verified schools based on eligibility and readiness, so a package does not by itself guarantee allocation to a particular school. You may indicate a preferred state during sponsorship.
For schools
Bring First Move to Your School.
Government schools and institutions serving underprivileged learners can apply for sponsored licences. We review each application for eligibility and readiness.
- ApplyA coordinator shares basic details about the school and students.
- VerificationOur team reviews eligibility and contacts you to confirm details.
- OnboardingStudents receive licences and begin learning on ChessMethod.
Powered by ChessMethod
Built on an established chess education platform.
First Move isn't a new platform built from scratch. It extends access to ChessMethod — a structured learning programme within the wider Chesslang ecosystem.
- The initiative
First Move
Funds learner licences for underprivileged children and government school students, and reports on outcomes.
- The learning platform
ChessMethod.io
Delivers the seven-level curriculum, practice, assessments, mock exams and the official proctored examination.
Visit ChessMethod.io - The ecosystem
Chesslang.com
ChessMethod is part of the Chesslang chess education ecosystem, which has an established international presence.
Visit Chesslang.com - The operator
Shortcastle Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
The Indian company that operates ChessMethod.io and First Move, and is accountable for the programme.
The platform behind First Move
See exactly what your sponsored learners will use.
Explore ChessMethod's structured levels, lessons, practice activities and certification pathway on the official ChessMethod website.
Certificates are issued through ChessMethod on passing the relevant examination. First Move and ChessMethod certificates are not represented as endorsed or accredited by FIDE or any national chess federation.
FAQ
Questions, answered plainly.
If something isn't covered here, contact the First Move team and we'll respond directly.
Each sponsored learner receives a full ChessMethod licence. It includes access to all seven levels of the structured curriculum, interactive lessons, puzzles and practice activities, multiple-choice assessments, mock examinations, and an opportunity to take the official proctored certification examination.
Licences are allocated to children in government schools and to underprivileged learners at schools and learning centres that apply and are verified by the First Move team. Allocation depends on verified eligibility and on a school's readiness, so a sponsorship is not tied to a particular school by default.
Yes. Each licence includes an opportunity to sit the official proctored certification examination. Exam scheduling and requirements are communicated through ChessMethod.
Students work through the lessons, practice activities, assessments and mock examinations, and then sit the official webcam-proctored, timed examination for their level. Students who pass receive a certificate with a unique verification code that anyone can check online. Certificates are issued only on passing. A licence does not guarantee a certificate.
Yes. ChessMethod is available in 100+ languages, including Hindi and Tamil, so students can work through lessons and practice in a language they are comfortable with.
Sponsors receive access to a sponsor dashboard and periodic reports with aggregate figures — licences allocated and activated, learning engagement, examinations attempted and certificates earned. Children's personal information is never shared with sponsors.
A school coordinator can complete the school application on this page. Our team reviews each application, verifies eligibility and readiness (including device and internet access), and contacts the coordinator about next steps.
No. First Move is an education access initiative of ChessMethod.io, operated by Shortcastle Technologies Private Limited, a private company in India. It is not a registered charity, trust or NGO.
Because First Move is operated by a private company and is not a registered charity, contributions should not be assumed to qualify for charitable tax deductions (for example under Section 80G), and eligibility as statutory CSR expenditure is not guaranteed. Invoicing details are confirmed during sponsorship. Please consult your tax or CSR advisor before sponsoring.
Their Journey Could Begin With You.
One small contribution can create an opportunity for learning, practice, and achievement.
Sponsor a Child