ChessabellésAustralia’s next generation of girls in chess.
Chessabellés is a chess coaching company for women and girls, founded and run by some of Australia’s top women players. We offer private lessons, school and holiday programs, and a not-for-profit community program for senior women.
- ♛100% women & girls
- ♛4 titled female coaches
- ♛Beginners to champions
- ♛Melbourne & online
11%
of FIDE-rated players in the world are women.
<10%
of players at chess tournaments in Australia are women and girls.
Fewer than one in ten. Let’s change that.
Many girls stop playing in their early teens, and many women never start. A place with other girls and women makes it easier to begin, to keep going, and to compete with confidence.
Read about our goal →Coaching for every stage
School programs
Girls' schools and co-ed schools
Weekly coaching, team training and interschool preparation, run at your school by female coaches.
Find out more →Private lessons
Girls and women of all ages
One-on-one coaching built around one player, in person in Melbourne or online.
Find out more →Holiday programs
Girls 6–14
Fun, girls-only chess days in the school holidays, for beginners and improving players.
Find out more →Four titled players who love this game
Every Chessabellés coach plays competitive chess. Lessons are patient, built around each player, and push her a little outside her comfort zone. Students explain their ideas back to their coach, because that’s how understanding sticks.
WFMChao Xin Cheng
Woman FIDE Master who represented Australia at the 2021 FIDE Online Olympiad. Xin earned Woman International Master norms at both the 2025 Oceania Women's Zonal and the 2025 Oceania Youth Championships.
WFMChloe Fan
Woman FIDE Master since 2024 and one of Australia's strongest young women players. Chloe earned a Woman International Master norm at the 2025 Oceania Youth Championships and plays in events like the Doeberl Cup Premier and the Sydney International Open.
WCMJody Middleton
Five-time Australian Girls Champion who played for Australia at the 2021 FIDE Online Olympiad and the World Girls Junior Championships in 2022 and 2023. As a coach, Jody led Presbyterian Ladies' College to its sixth straight Australian Schools Teams title.
WCMOm O'Carroll
Australian Under 16 Girls Champion and Woman Candidate Master from Ballarat Chess Club, where Om has won club events and coaches juniors. Om also earned a conditional title at the Oceania Women's Zonal.
Come and play
Deal a champion, play a famous finish, peek inside the magazine, or flick through the headlines. Each one opens up into a page of its own.
Game of the Month
Judit Polgár v Garry Kasparov
Tap the board to play the next move
Play the whole game →Wear your colours
Chessabellés totes, jerseys, hoodies and stickers are on the way. Let us know what you’d like and we’ll tell you when they’re ready.
- Coming soon
Canvas tote
Natural cotton, printed in wine with the full-colour logo. Big enough for a board and a set
- Coming soon
Football jersey
Brick red with cream stripes and the number 64, one for every square
- Coming soon
Club hoodie
Oatmeal with a wine college print, for long tournament halls
- Coming soon
Sticker pack
The logo, the name and a gold queen badge, for laptops and drink bottles
Begin your chess journey today
Whether she’s six or sixty, every great player started with a first game. Send a few details and we’ll reply with available times and current rates. Parents and schools are welcome to enquire.