Chessity
- Age recommendation
- 5–12 years
- Languages
- English, Dutch; Flemish, Portuguese, Swedish
- Properties
- + includes mini games
- + exercises of increasing level
- + exercises are gamified
- + includes play against engine
- + enables online play
- + smartphone
- + web-based
- + whiteboard compatible
- Latest version
- 2020
- System requirements
- none
- Price
- pupils of a school group €6.90/year, students of a coach-led chess group from €6.90/year depending on number of licences, family license (up to 5 members) €74.50/year
- Trial Period
- 3 weeks
Chessity is the work of a passionate Dutch team who clearly sought to create a tool that they would have liked to avail as players and as coaches. This site has a dual use: a game learning interface for children, and a student management interface for school teachers and chess coaches.
The interface for children is entertaining and intuitive: the proposed environment features a world of frogs and robots very suitable for young children under 10 years old. Chessity can be used by older beginners as well. It works well in a family setting as all lessons can be followed in a more adult look and feel as well.
The screen is never overrun with annoying mascots that leap across the screen with every hit. The exercises are of increasing diffulty and well selected. By collecting points you unlock new options. This gamification keeps up the motivation. Help is provided if a child doesn’t manage an exercise. Again, the help is progressive and adapted to the difficulty.
The interface for teachers and coaches offers multiple options like student tracking, diplomas, statistics, and assigning homework online. You even find a “print a puzzle book” section: you can edit a pdf of your lesson or homework within a few clicks! A great tool for any chess trainer or teacher.
Chessity provides a turnkey solution to teachers, including even those who are not yet familiar with the chess rules and learn together with their pupils. It offers a pathway for schools to take on chess at a large scale.
Chessity is one of the most comprehensive tools I have ever used. The site is developed further constantly, and some open wishes of this reviewer may already be on the team’s list. For instance more extensive chess training for teachers who are beginners at chess or more instructional videos as there are already available in Dutch and Portuguese. And why not also an interface in French?
This review reflects only the personal view of its author and its publication does not include an endorsement by the FIDE Education Commission. It is part of a ChessTech Special: Educational Chess in cooperation with the FIDE Education Commission and with support by FIDE.