If you’re living in Monplaisir, Lyon’s 8th district, and you’re looking for chess classes that truly help you or your child grow—not just in chess, but in thinking, planning, and patience—you’ve come to the right place.
Chess is not just a board game. It’s a life skill. It teaches focus, decision-making, and smart thinking. But to really get those benefits, you need the right kind of teacher. The right kind of class. A place that doesn’t just show moves, but teaches how to think.
In this article, we’ll take you through the best chess learning options in Monplaisir and nearby. We’ll explain why online chess training is now better than most in-person classes. We’ll show how Debsie has become the top choice—not just in Lyon, but for students around the world. And we’ll help you choose the training that fits your goals and lifestyle.
Online Chess Training
When you learn chess online, you use the internet: video calls, shared screens, puzzles on screen, maybe apps. It may feel different at first, but it has many big strengths. You can pick a time that fits you.
You avoid travel. If you need to pause or review, it’s possible to go back over things. You get modern tools: boards on screen, analyses of your games, homework, even tournaments online with students worldwide.
Online training lets you have more one‑on‑one time with a coach when needed. If something is unclear, you can ask right away. If you’re good at one part of chess (say tactics) and weaker in another (say endgame or strategy), the coach can shape lessons for you, not for “most students in a room.” Also, you can mix group lessons or private lessons depending on what you need.
Learning online means you can record lessons or parts of it. That helps because you can watch again the hard parts. If you miss something, you can go back. It also means consistency: weather, traffic, physical distance, sickness—all those things matter less.
Over time, with regular online training, you’ll see growth. Your thinking becomes quicker, your decision‑making becomes sharper, your ability to see patterns improves, and you become more confident in actual games.
Landscape of Chess Training in Monplaisir (8e), Lyon and Why Online Chess Training is the Right Choice
Monplaisir is a lively neighborhood. Many families, many children, many people who like art, music, or sports. There are chess clubs, associations, local teachers. Some of those classes are in neighborhood community halls, some inside schools, sometimes in cafés or public spaces. There are people who meet for casual chess games too.
Also, there are platforms like AmazingTalker offering private chess lessons in Lyon / Monplaisir online, where you can pick teachers, schedules, prices.
Despite this, many offline classes around Monplaisir have limits. Some have mixed levels in one group—beginners and more advanced students together—which means some feel bored, others feel lost. Some classes happen once a week or less. Some don’t give feedback in detail. Sometimes progress seems slow because there is no strong plan from start to finish.
Because Monplaisir is central but still traffic exists, going out takes time. If you live in Monplaisir, driving or public transport to a class may be okay, but with busy schedules (school, work, activities), that extra time adds up. Online removes that travel time.
Also, families in Monplaisir often want flexible hours. Kids may have school until late, or parents may be working. Online lessons let you pick times that match your day—early morning, evening, weekends.
Another reason: a lot of good coaches are not in Monplaisir. Some are far away, maybe in other districts or even other cities. Online allows you to access those coaches without moving. You are not limited by location.
Online tools let tracking progress better. You can see how your child handled past lessons, where mistakes repeat, what needs more work. For example, homework, game analysis, and quizzes can be done via apps or online platforms. Offline classes sometimes simply move on without checking whether past lessons were understood well.
Finally, many online programs have structured curriculums: levels, goals, tournaments, feedback. For someone serious about improving, these make a big difference. They avoid randomness. They avoid gaps. They build skills step by step.
How Debsie is The Best Choice When It Comes to Chess Training in Monplaisir (8e), Lyon
Debsie is not a random online chess class. It’s a full online chess academy. That means it’s structured, professional, and student-focused. Everything is planned with care—starting from the first moment a student signs up. You don’t get dropped into a class. You get guided.
Let’s say your child joins for the free trial. Right away, a coach sits with them (online, of course), talks to them, watches them play, and understands where they are. Maybe your child knows nothing. Maybe they’ve played a bit. Maybe they already beat everyone at school. The coach sees that, and then creates a learning path just for them. Not a one-size-fits-all lesson. A real path.
And this is the key: Debsie trains every student with a clear, level-based curriculum. That means your child goes from one level to the next with proper lessons, practice, and mini goals in between. They learn tactics. Then openings.
Then endgames. Then strategy. They learn how to make a plan. How to stay calm under pressure. How to calculate. How to think before acting. Every lesson builds on the one before it.
The coaches? They are FIDE-certified—which means they are officially recognized by the international chess federation. These aren’t just good players. They are great teachers. They understand how kids think. They know how to make chess exciting, not boring.
They don’t lecture. They coach. That’s a big difference. They show, ask questions, give challenges, help students discover answers. They talk to the child, not at them.
And here’s where Debsie is truly different from most others: it’s not just about teaching moves. It’s about helping your child grow. Every lesson trains the brain. Your child learns to focus longer. They learn to bounce back after a mistake.
They learn to solve problems step by step. They feel confident after figuring something out. That confidence spreads into schoolwork, sports, and life.
And there’s more. Debsie runs bi-weekly online tournaments, where students test what they’ve learned. It’s friendly, fun, but also serious. It teaches competition, time control, sportsmanship. After each game, students get feedback. So even when they lose, they learn—and grow stronger.
Offline Chess Training
Offline chess classes, or in-person classes, used to be the only way to learn chess. You’d go to a club, a classroom, a library, or sometimes someone’s house. There’d be a coach standing at the front. Maybe a board on the wall, maybe pieces on tables, and a group of students. In Monplaisir, this still happens. Some clubs run weekend lessons. Some schools invite a chess coach once a week. Some community centers offer group classes.
These classes are okay for some students—especially those who just want a casual experience. They’re good if your child simply wants to play a bit, meet some friends, and have fun. And yes, some in-person coaches are very skilled, and some sessions are helpful.
But here’s what we see time and time again: most offline chess training doesn’t help students improve much. Why? Because it’s usually not built for serious, step-by-step growth. It’s built for groups, for simplicity, and for keeping everyone moving—even if they’re not ready.
Also, there’s rarely homework. There’s no personalized practice. You show up, you listen, you play a few games, and then you go home. You forget most of it.
There’s no tracking of growth. No real tournaments. No feedback after games. No adjusting the teaching based on what the student needs. That’s a problem.
Offline classes are also limited by time and location. You have to travel. You have to fit your schedule to the coach’s availability. If you’re sick or away, you miss class. There’s no recording. No backup. It’s rigid, and life today isn’t.
Drawbacks of Offline Chess Training
Here’s what usually goes wrong with in-person chess classes—especially those in community spaces or general learning centers around Monplaisir:
The classes don’t follow a full learning plan. There might be one coach teaching different topics each week, depending on what they feel like. One day it’s openings. Next week it’s tactics. Next time it’s endgames.
That might sound nice, but without order, students don’t build knowledge. They get scattered ideas. And scattered ideas don’t help in real games.
The coach may be skilled, but they’re often teaching ten or more students. That means there’s no time to stop and help one child properly. If your child is confused, they may just sit there quietly, pretending to understand. That’s a big loss.
After your child plays a game, no one sits down and explains what went right or wrong. There’s no game review, no notes, no coaching in between moves. So your child keeps making the same mistakes.
If your child misses a session, there’s no way to make it up. No video. No recorded notes. They just lose that class—and sometimes fall behind.
Even if the class is close by, it still takes time to get ready, travel, wait, and return home. That’s time lost. And many families have tight schedules already.
Offline classes don’t usually have weekly or bi-weekly tournaments. If students only play with classmates at the same level, they don’t stretch themselves. They don’t get stronger. They don’t feel the excitement of real matches.
These issues aren’t always because the coach is bad. Often, the coach is doing their best. The problem is the format. The offline model just doesn’t support deep, personal, flexible learning—especially not in today’s fast-moving world.
Best Chess Academies in Monplaisir (8e), Lyon
Here I talk about five good chess academies or clubs in or near Monplaisir or in Lyon. For each, I show what’s good, what may be weak, and how Debsie compares.
1. Debsie
Debsie is the strongest choice for many reasons. If your child (or you) wants more than just playing chess—if you want real growth, clarity, confidence—Debsie delivers that. Let me explain exactly how.
When you join Debsie, you begin with a free trial class. I think that is very important. In that trial, a coach talks with you, sees how you think, watches your game or puzzles, asks you some simple questions. From there, the coach builds a plan just for you. Not “one size fits all,” but a path that fits your knowledge, how fast you learn, what you like.
The curriculum is level-based. Beginners learn piece movement, simple tactics, checkmates, basic endgames. Then comes more complicated material: openings, strategy, studying real games, positional ideas, longer time‑controls. Every level builds on previous ones, so there’s no big gap.
Coaches at Debsie are FIDE‑certified. That means they are recognized internationally in chess. But more than that, they know how to teach. Teaching is not just telling. It’s guiding. At Debsie, the coach will often ask you what you think, why you made a move, then correct or show alternative moves. You learn to see mistakes, correct them, learn patterns.
Debsie’s format mixes private coaching, small groups, and regular tournaments. In Monplaisir, many offline classes are once a week, group only, maybe no tournament or feedback. With Debsie, you have feedback each week. You can practice between lessons with puzzles or game analysis. You get to play in tournaments every two weeks (or regular intervals). After tournament games, there is analysis: what you did well, what you could do better. That helps a lot.
2. Lyon Échecs Avenir
Lyon Échecs Avenir is a friendly local club. They welcome beginners and more advanced players. They have two rooms: one for teaching, one for free play. They have a library of chess books, which helps students study. They participate in young players’ championships, teams, and regional competitions.
What they do well is create a strong sense of belonging. Kids spend time meeting in person. They get to touch chess pieces, experience games face‑to‑face. For some students, that is inspiring. They learn from watching others.
3. Dinochess Académie
Dinochess Académie uses a method made by its founder. They offer classes for all levels. They hold events, tournaments, and study sessions. They have good reputation locally.
They are strong in giving in‑person feedback, helping students understand positions, history, ideas behind openings, etc. Their students often get good results. But often the schedule is more rigid, location bound, group lessons rather than fully private. Also, their reach is more local—global matchups or online tournaments less central to their model.
4. Lyon Olympique Échecs (LOE)
Lyon Olympique Échecs is one of the more established clubs. They run courses and stages (intensive workshops) during holidays. They have good infrastructure. They organize tournaments regularly. They offer courses for adults and children.
What’s good: experience, many members, a strong tradition, good environment for playing. But sometimes, in larger clubs, classes are large, students get less individual attention. Also, lessons may follow a fixed calendar, less flexibility, less global exposure.
5. Echiquier des Lions
Echiquier des Lions is an association of chess lovers. They have courses, tournaments, free play sessions. They engage both young players and adults. They maintain community, friendship, and they participate in regional competitions.
They do very well at building a local, supportive environment, being affordable, putting people in contact with others who love chess. But they may not have the same level of coach certification across all teachers.
Why Online Chess Training is The Future
The world has changed. Everything we do today—learning, working, even connecting with friends—is moving online. It’s faster, it’s smarter, and when done right, it’s better. Chess training is no different.
Online chess classes used to be “second best.” People thought they were just a backup for in-person lessons. But that’s no longer true. Now, online learning gives more tools, more choices, and more growth than ever before.
Think about it. When a student learns online, they’re not just sitting and listening. They’re solving puzzles, moving real pieces on a digital board, getting instant feedback. The coach can draw arrows, highlight squares, and show ideas in ways that are hard to do on a real board. The learning becomes faster, sharper, and more focused.
Another reason online is the future: custom paths. Offline classes often try to teach everyone the same thing at the same time. But online lessons—like those at Debsie—can adjust to each student. Fast learners move ahead. Others get more time and help. That’s real learning.
Then there’s flexibility. Families in Monplaisir have busy lives. School, work, activities. With online classes, you don’t need to cancel anything. You pick a time. You stay home. No commute. No traffic. Just learning.
And let’s not forget something very important: access to the best coaches. Offline, you’re limited to who’s in your neighborhood. Online, you can learn from top FIDE coaches, tournament players, experts from around the world. That’s a huge advantage. You’re not stuck with what’s nearby. You get the best—wherever they are.
How Debsie Leads the Online Chess Training Landscape
Now let’s finish strong. You’ve seen why online chess works. You’ve seen what other academies offer. But now it’s time to talk about why Debsie leads them all.
Debsie didn’t just decide to “put chess lessons online.” It was built from the ground up as an online-first chess academy. Every part of it was designed to make online learning better than offline. Smarter, faster, easier, and deeper.
Debsie’s team is made of real chess educators. FIDE-certified. Tournament-tested. Teacher-trained. And every single coach is handpicked—not just for their chess skills, but for their ability to connect with kids. To make them feel seen. Heard. Understood.
Every student starts with a free trial. That first class is already a masterclass. The coach sees how the student thinks, not just what they know. And from there, a plan is made. It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it’s clear.
Lessons are structured. There’s a full curriculum. No guessing. No jumping around. You always know what’s next. And your child always knows what they’re working toward.
The learning is live and interactive. Not a video to watch. Not a lecture. It’s a real coach talking, guiding, teaching. Your child plays. Learns. Gets feedback. Feels progress.
It teaches patience. Focus. Confidence. Kids start sitting longer. Thinking deeper. Speaking up more. Parents say things like, “My son listens better now.” Or “My daughter’s more confident at school.” That’s the Debsie effect.
And let’s not forget—you’re not alone. When your child joins Debsie, they become part of a global chess family. They meet kids from all over the world. They build friendships. They feel proud.
Conclusion
If you’re in Monplaisir, Lyon, and you’re looking for chess classes that go beyond just learning the rules—something that helps your child grow in confidence, focus, and smart thinking—then you now know where to look.
Yes, there are a few good clubs and tutors around. But most of them follow an old system—one that doesn’t always fit how kids learn today. No structure. No feedback. No flexibility. That kind of training may entertain for a while, but it rarely builds real progress.
Debsie is different. It brings together expert coaching, a clear curriculum, and a warm, encouraging environment—all online, all from home. Your child gets personal attention. Real growth. And a reason to love learning.
The best part? You can try it for free. No commitment. Just a chance to see your child light up during their very first class.
👉 Take the first step now: https://debsie.com/take-a-free-trial-class
Comparisons With Other Chess Schools: