Grupo de Xadrez do Porto

Grupo de Xadrez do Porto (GXP), the Porto Chess Group, was founded in 1940. Its website sums up what it does in four words: recreation, training, competition and memory. Porto’s city council awarded it a Medal of Merit in 2019. The club room is lined with trophies, and the club has its own chess library and a team on Lichess, the free online chess site.

For a child who has outgrown playing against the family, a club like this changes things. There are coaches, a proper structure from beginner upwards, and players of every level to learn from.

GXP’s in-person lessons for children and young people take place on Saturday mornings with the coach Artur Rosário, in three groups:

• Iniciação (beginners): 09:15 to 10:00
• Intermédio (intermediate): 10:15 to 11:00
• Desenvolvimento (development): 11:15 to 12:00

Each lesson is 45 minutes, a sensible length for younger players. The club doesn’t publish age limits for the groups; placement depends on how well your child already plays, so mention their level when you email.

The club also pays the Portuguese Chess Federation (FPX) registration for young players in its training programme. That registration is what lets a child take part in official tournaments and get a rating, so it’s a useful saving if your child wants to compete.

For young players who are already good, GXP offers advanced in-person training with the master José Pereira dos Santos, on Fridays at 15:00. That time suits home-educated teenagers well, since it falls during the school day.

There’s also an advanced online class for adults and young people on Tuesdays at 21:00 on Zoom, taught by Carlos Marrero. It’s late for most children but could work for an older teenager.

In January 2026 the club restarted in-person beginner classes for adults with Pedro Areal, on Tuesdays in two sessions, 17:30 to 18:20 and 18:30 to 19:30. Adult students must be club members and pay an extra €20 a month for the course. If you’ve been meaning to learn so you can keep up with your child, this is a straightforward way in.

The lessons are for club members. GXP doesn’t publish its membership fees or the children’s lesson prices online, so email grupoxadrezporto@gmail.com and ask for the conditions. You can also phone +351 222 055 064 or +351 963 985 935.

Because the club doesn’t publish fees, a short email saves a wasted trip. Ask what membership costs for a child and whether lessons are included or charged on top, whether a child can try one Saturday lesson first, which group suits your child’s level and age, and whether lessons continue through the school holidays. If your child is new to chess, check they know how each piece moves before the first beginners’ lesson.

Chess clubs suit children who can sit still and concentrate for 45 minutes and who don’t mind losing, because at a club they’ll lose a lot at first. The upside is fast improvement: playing stronger opponents and going over games with a coach teaches more than any number of casual games at home. A child who hates sitting still may do better with a short online puzzle habit first.

The Portuguese Chess Federation keeps an interactive map of clubs certified to teach chess, on its “Clubes certificados para o ensino” page. The clubs are spread across mainland Portugal and are densest around Porto, Lisbon and in the Algarve. Zoom in to find one near you.

The club is on Travessa das Almas, in the centre of Porto. After a Saturday lesson, Livraria Lello is a famous bookshop to visit with a young reader, and the Palácio de Cristal gardens have space to run and peacocks to find.

Are there chess lessons for children in Porto?

Yes. Grupo de Xadrez do Porto runs Saturday-morning lessons for children and young people at three levels: beginners from 09:15, intermediate from 10:15 and development from 11:15.

Do you need to be a member?

Yes. Lessons are for club members. Email grupoxadrezporto@gmail.com for prices and conditions.

Can my child play in tournaments?

The club pays the federation registration for young players in its training programme, which is what’s needed to play official, rated tournaments.

Is there anything for strong young players?

Yes. There’s advanced in-person training for young players with a master on Fridays at 15:00, and an advanced online class on Tuesday evenings.

How do I find a chess club near me in Portugal?

Use the map of certified teaching clubs on the Portuguese Chess Federation (FPX) website.