7 days free, no credit card required
The chess coach that talks to your child.
Your child plays chess, asks questions out loud, and gets friendly explanations. Made for ages 6–10, including children still learning to read.
Parent signup. No card. No automatic charge after the trial.
- No ads
- No chat with strangers
- Parent-controlled data
Ages 6 to 10
Talks out loud
Made for total beginners
Cancel any time
The voice coach
Chess for kids with voice, because children learn by talking.
Most chess apps hand a child a board and a wall of red arrows. Rooky does what a good tutor does: it asks. "What is your knight attacking?" "Is your king safe?" Your child answers out loud, and the coach responds to what they actually said.
When a mistake happens, there is no engine jargon and no shame. Rooky explains it like a friend: "Oops, your bishop was left alone, and my pawn could grab it. Let's find it a buddy."
Nice move! Now, can you see a piece of mine that is not protected?
The horse on the side!
Yes, the knight! Great eyes. How could your bishop go and say hello?
How to teach a child chess, without knowing chess.
- 01
Say hello
Sign up in a minute as the parent. Your child sits down and Rooky introduces itself and the board.
- 02
Play and talk
Rooky guides online chess lessons for beginners: how pieces move, simple tactics, then real games, all spoken.
- 03
Puzzle it out
Short chess puzzles for kids build pattern spotting. Rooky asks first, hints second, answers last.
- 04
Grow together
Ask your child to teach you a move over dinner. Explaining is the fastest way to learn.
A chess tutor for 6, 7 and 8 year olds, and a little beyond.
Young children need short turns, warm words and a coach who never rushes. Rooky is the best chess app for beginners in this age range because it was shaped around how small kids listen, not how adults analyse.
- Listens before it lecturesQuestions first, so your child does the thinking.
- Chess puzzles for kidsBite-sized challenges that end on a win.
- Kind about mistakesEvery error becomes a story, never a score.
Kid-safe by design
A chess app for children you do not have to worry about.
- No ads, ever
- No chat with other people
- No child accounts or photos
- We store only parent name and email
- You can request deletion any time
- No credit card for the trial
One price. Less than a single chess lesson.
Try everything for 7 days free, no credit card. Then pick what suits your family. Indicative prices.
Monthly
GBP 4.99 / month
- Unlimited voice coaching
- Puzzles and guided games
- Cancel any time
Yearly
GBP 49.90 / year
Pay for 10 months, get 2 months free.
- Everything in monthly
- A whole school year of chess growth
- Cancel any time
Questions parents ask us
What age is Rooky for?
Rooky is designed for children aged 6 to 10, including complete beginners. A parent can sit nearby and help with the first sessions.
Does my child need to know chess already?
No. Your child can ask the coach about how the pieces move and learn through guided practice at their own pace.
Do I need a credit card for the free trial?
No. You get 7 days free with no credit card. A parent signs up with their name, email and a password.
How does the voice coach work?
Rooky speaks out loud. It asks your child what they see on the board, listens, and explains mistakes in simple kid words rather than engine jargon. Your child can think out loud like they would with a real chess tutor.
Is it safe for children?
There are no ads, no chat with strangers and no child accounts. Parents create and control the account. We recommend parent supervision, especially during the first sessions.
How do I teach a child chess if I do not play?
Start with one piece at a time. Sit nearby for the first sessions, ask your child to explain a move to you, and use the coach to help answer questions.
Is this better than a human chess tutor?
It is different. Rooky is available for daily practice and costs less than many weekly lessons. It can be used alongside a club or tutor.
What happens when the 7 days end?
Nothing is charged automatically. You choose a monthly or yearly plan if you want to continue. If you do not, your trial simply ends.
Can I cancel any time?
Yes. Plans can be cancelled at any time.
What devices does it work on?
Use a modern browser on a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. There is nothing to install. The coach needs audio output, and voice conversations need microphone permission.
Your child's first move is free.
7 days of Rooky, no credit card required. Be at the board together on day one.
For parents
A good place to start
Find the best chess app for your child
An honest comparison of voice coaching, videos and puzzles—including options for children who cannot read yet.
Compare chess appsHow to teach a 5-year-old chess
Start with a pawn war, introduce one piece at a time, and keep practice short and playful. Tips for six-year-olds too.
Read the parent guide