Upstep Academy Unveils Grandmaster Accelerator Program to Revolutionize Chess Training
For countless competitive chess players, progress often stalls just as the game intensifies. After mastering basic fundamentals and early tactics, many find themselves trapped at the same rating level, unable to advance to higher competitive tiers. In response to this widespread challenge, Upstep Academy has officially launched the Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP), a meticulously structured high-performance training initiative designed to provide serious players with direct access to elite mentorship, strategic preparation systems, and the cognitive frameworks utilized by Grandmasters.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Chess Education
The program was developed to fill a long-standing void in chess training methodologies. While numerous students learn openings, tactics, and endgames, few are systematically instructed in how elite players think, prepare, and perform under the intense pressure of tournaments. This initiative stems from a personal motivation: Upstep Academy founder Abhijit Hatkar, a 2000+ FIDE rated chess player, frequently reflected on the limitations of the training ecosystem during his own early chess journey. Despite having access to coaching and tournaments, he identified a lack of a structured system that could guide ambitious players step by step toward enhanced thinking and performance.
"When I was a young player, I often wished there was a structured system that could guide me step by step toward higher level performance," Hatkar stated. "Not just classes, but a framework that teaches you how to think, prepare, and perform like a Grandmaster. GAP is something I have built for my younger self." Through GAP, the academy aims to establish a structured environment where serious players can methodically develop the strategic thinking and preparation methods essential for elevated competition.
Program Development and Successful Pilot Phase
Prior to opening the initiative to a broader audience, Upstep Academy conducted a six-month closed pilot with a select group of existing students. This pilot phase served as a rigorous validation period to test curriculum design, monitor engagement levels, and assess the impact of the training framework. According to the academy, participation remained consistently robust throughout the pilot, with students reporting improved engagement and a deeper comprehension of tournament preparation and strategic decision-making.
One participant, Ram Gupta, described the experience as remarkably interactive. "I enjoy the sessions so much. I couldn't believe that Grandmasters actually teach in such an interactive way," he remarked. During this period, Gupta achieved measurable competitive progress, gaining 136.4 FIDE rating points at the Athens of the East 5th International GM Open tournament after competing in 19 games. Following the pilot's success, the academy expanded the program in February 2026, extending participation to serious players beyond its internal student base.
Elite Grandmaster Panel and Innovative Training Structure
A cornerstone of the Grandmaster Accelerator Program is its international panel of seasoned chess professionals, who contribute to structured sessions and analytical discussions. The panel features:
- GM Viswanathan Anand, India's first Grandmaster, five-time World Chess Champion, and Brand Partner at Upstep Academy.
- GM Sahaj Grover, India's 29th Grandmaster and former World Under 10 Champion.
- GM Farrukh Amonatov, Tajikistan's first Grandmaster.
- GM Swayams Mishra, coach of India's gold medal-winning Women's Olympiad 2024 team.
- IM Rakesh Kulkarni, Director of Chess.com India.
Rather than serving as occasional guest instructors, these experts engage in an ongoing learning framework where students gain exposure to tournament preparation strategies, strategic analysis, and practical insights derived from professional competitive experience. This structure fosters a consistent learning environment where knowledge is shared systematically, not through isolated masterclasses.
Connecting Students with Global Mentors
The program also signifies a shift in how elite chess mentorship can be delivered. Through its digital infrastructure, students and Grandmasters interact across multiple countries and time zones, enabling players to access mentorship historically constrained by geography. For instance, a student in Toronto, Canada, can learn directly from GM Swayams Mishra based in Odisha, while a student from a small village in Uttar Pradesh may receive guidance from GM Sahaj Grover, currently based in Budapest. Students also benefit from insights provided by GM Farrukh Amonatov and GM Viswanathan Anand, with IM Rakesh Kulkarni leading Booster Sessions focused on fun-filled learning packed with actionable insights to enhance gameplay.
This approach has enabled the academy to create a cross-border learning ecosystem where access to elite chess expertise is no longer dictated by location.
Comprehensive Performance Framework
While advanced chess instruction remains the program's core, GAP has been designed to address additional factors influencing competitive performance. The initiative is led by Pankit Mota, Product Head of GAP and a 2100+ FIDE rated chess player, whose 18-year competitive career informed the program's structure. Reflecting on his playing days, Mota noted that many players invest thousands of hours studying openings, tactics, and endgames yet still grapple with psychological pressure, strategic fatigue, and decision-making under tournament conditions.
"During my playing career, I spent years preparing moves, but there were always missing pieces in my preparation," Mota explained. "The psychological and performance gaps often determine whether a player reaches the podium or hits a plateau. GAP was designed to fill those missing pieces." To tackle these challenges, the program incorporates supplementary elements alongside technical training, including:
- Booster Sessions: Sharpening calculation depth and decision-making during high-pressure tournament moments.
- Psychology Sessions: Strengthening mental resilience and focus.
- PTM Sessions: Aligning parents with the long-term development process and performance tracking of young players.
Expanding Access to Elite Training
Upstep Academy emphasizes that the broader objective behind GAP is to cultivate a more structured ecosystem for chess development and broaden access to elite mentorship. While Grandmaster-led accelerator programs globally often command premium prices, the academy has positioned GAP at a lower cost to ensure committed players are not hindered by financial barriers. The academy views the program not merely as a training batch but as part of a larger endeavor to establish a long-term performance pathway for aspiring competitive players.
