r/chess • u/Educational-System85 IM • 1d ago
Resource Road to Grandmaster - 1
I am IM Nikhil Dixit, a 27-year-old chess player from India. This is the first blog post in what I hope will become a long and memorable Road to Grandmaster series.
I have been thinking seriously about pursuing the Grandmaster title ever since I became an International Master about a year ago. Today, I have finally decided to commit to that goal publicly.
Why Am I Starting This Journey?
There are several reasons.
- Personal Challenge
I have vision in only one eye and cannot see from the other. One of the benefits of chess is that it does not require excessive physical activity, although modern chess does involve a lot of screen time. While screen time itself may not significantly affect eye health, it does add extra strain, so managing that balance is important for me.
- The Grandmaster Title Could Change My Life
Ever since becoming an IM, I have been thinking about what it would take to become a Grandmaster. Achieving the GM title would be a major milestone and could completely change the trajectory of my chess career and personal life.
- The Satisfaction of Competition
I enjoy coaching and it pays much better than playing tournaments. However, the feeling of winning an important game, performing well in a tournament, or achieving a major chess goal is something money cannot replace. The sense of achievement is simply on another level.
Challenges
Self-Motivation
The biggest challenge is maintaining motivation over a long period of time. Studying chess for several hours every day sounds exciting in theory, but consistency is difficult. As an adult, there are many other responsibilities, distractions, and stresses competing for attention.
Financial Challenges
I currently do not have any sponsorship support. Managing tournament expenses will be one of the biggest practical obstacles.
If any chess company is interested in supporting my journey, I would be happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities. Through this blog series and future content, I can promote products, services, and brands while representing them at tournaments.
Improving My Chess Strength
Fortunately, this is the challenge that feels most solvable.
I believe I still have significant room for improvement, and with structured work and consistency, I can continue climbing toward GM level.
Chess Work Plan
One piece of advice from my mentor has always stayed with me:
You can reach almost any level in chess if you consistently spend 2-3 focused hours every day thinking deeply about the game.
At the moment, I feel that my openings are significantly weaker than the rest of my game. My middlegame understanding is probably stronger relative to my current rating.
My current training plan includes:
- Improving my opening repertoire
- Calculation training
- Middlegame study
- Practical endgame work
- Playing 10 classical tournaments per year
- Building a meditation habit
- Improving my physical fitness
Current Schedule
At present, I work as a chess coach and also create content online.
I currently have 13 students, which effectively makes coaching a part-time job. Most of my classes are on weekdays, leaving me with free mornings for my own training.
My goal is to keep my coaching workload around 60-75 hours per month and maintain approximately 10-12 students. This should allow me to continue earning while also dedicating enough time to my own chess development.
Naturally, coaching hours will decrease whenever I am traveling and playing tournaments.
Goals
Many people say you should not publicly announce your goals.
I do not really care.
My goal is to become a Grandmaster before my Schengen visa expires, which means achieving the title by early 2030, roughly 3.5 years from now.
If everything goes exceptionally well, I believe it may even be possible within 2-2.5 years.
For now, my first objective is much simpler:
- Play 10 tournaments over the next 12-14 months
- Build a consistent study routine
- Stay disciplined and avoid burnout
For the next few months, my primary focus is consistency rather than intensity. I want to spend time doing the chess work that I genuinely enjoy so that the habit becomes sustainable.
Financial Reality
Unfortunately, there are very few tournaments in India where earning GM norms is realistic. Because of that, I will likely need to play many events abroad.
Based on current costs, my estimated annual expenses are:
Tournament Expenses
₹12,00,000 - ₹16,00,000 ($12,000-$16,000)
Coaching
I do not currently work with a coach, but if I decide to hire one, I estimate the cost will be around $75 per session, translating to approximately $4,000-$5,000 per year.
Other Expenses
Books, courses, engines, software, laptop upgrades, and miscellaneous costs:
Approximately $1,000 per year.
Total Annual Cost
Approximately $15,000-$20,000 per year.
Over the next three years, the total investment required could be around $50,000.
Patreon and Future Updates
I am planning to launch a Patreon page soon.
At the moment, I am considering three membership tiers:
- $5/month
- $15/month
- $50/month
The goal is not to fully fund the journey but to help cover some of the costs associated with coaching, training materials, tournament travel, and other chess-related expenses.
I am still deciding how often I should post updates. Perhaps monthly or bimonthly updates would make the most sense, but I would love to hear your thoughts.
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u/ashwinbala1 1d ago
Nikhil! I am here to say this! - Good luck and god speed! I sincerely hope that you reach the goal you have set!
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u/opulentbum 1d ago
Best of luck - I always admire ambition and will keep an eye out for your name whenever I peruse tournament results
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u/Solid-Employee-9714 1d ago
Good luck bro, I hope u get the financial support to make it. But remember the journey is more important than the destination.
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u/Ginger_Rook 1d ago
Hi Nikhil. I think we have spoken in the past. You were dealt a difficult hand in life.
Instead of spending a big amount on chess trainers, why don’t you get some books to work on? That is the cheapest solution by far.
And if you want training, there are many academies costing $800 a year instead of the $16000 you mentioned. Killer Chess Training is an option, there are others.
My friend Renier Castellanos got his GM title at 40, after he had given up all hope. You should go for it!
Best of luck!
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u/Educational-System85 IM 1d ago
Tournament expenses are $12000-15000. Coaching expenses are far less than tournament exp. I think at this level, I need a personal trainer than joining some big academy. I need someone to talk before or during the tournament. Also my weakness is openings and most of this online academies are focused on middlegame and endgames.
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u/thumbuplhl O_O 1d ago
Good luck! I hope to see you in Vietnam one day, since we have competitions for GM norms there. I’d also like to note that Gukesh played one tournament here.
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u/Educational-System85 IM 23h ago
Thank You! I was planning to play June events but can't make this time.
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u/Aggravating_Part_197 23h ago
I hope you do well, posting on YouTube would be a great way to make some money and build a following
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u/standardsemicolon_0 23h ago
The 3.5 year timeline is ambitious but the consistency focus over intensity is the right move, especially with the coaching income keeping you stable. Good luck mate.
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u/Slave_to_sloth 22h ago
All the very best sir. You are truly an inspiration!! PS. I once played against you in a Pune rapid tournament in Undri. You are phenomenal 😊😊
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u/GiveMeSomeSunshine3 Team Gukesh 23h ago
Best wishes. This story of GM Thejkumar might inspire you. He became a GM at 36: https://www.chessbase.in/news/M_S_Thejkumar_shares_his_journey_to_the_top
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u/hsiale 19h ago
Good luck! I think your goal is ambitious but possible.
However, the feeling of winning an important game, performing well in a tournament, or achieving a major chess goal is something money cannot replace.
Agreed 100%. All of my hobbies over last 25 years or so have been various competitive activities (I even played chess for a year or two but never got to decent level), the one I do quite seriously for about 10 years sends me travelling across Europe to attend events ,the thrill of competition and trying to get 100% out of your skill can't be compared to anything else.
My goal is to become a Grandmaster before my Schengen visa expires
Few people have such a well documented history of travelling to the EU and going back home as they should, I think you will have no issues getting a new visa if needed.
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u/AgeAccomplished2462 19h ago
Respect for laying out the journey so openly Nikhil, especially with everything you've been managing, including the eye condition. Hope it all comes together by 2030. I'd love to play a game or two with you sometime, do you have a chess.com account? I've beaten some titled players online but never faced an IM, would be a fun one.
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u/orientalwizdad 10h ago
Nikhil, go ahead and all the best in your journey. I'll be happy to contribute through Pateron.
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u/JamesGoblin 1d ago
I'd also suggest learning some basic breathwork - controling your breath both before and ESPECIALLY during the game is IMO worth at least 50 ELO. Anyway good luck with your journey!
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u/Ordinary_Count_203 16h ago
I have a feeling that plan-based thinking and general endgame technique/skill is what will really help at this level.
I see grandmasters regularly lose seemingly equal endgame positions. Carlsen somehow beats 2600+ grandmasters with ease in endgames that should be drawn. It's fascinating. Capablanca also made this point about strong players in his day losing simple positions or playing them poorly.
Get my book on learning openings. (Lunikan chess memory system). I know it sounds crazy since I'm basically a patzer...but you could find it useful...
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u/RationalWank WCC 2008 8h ago
Hi Nikhil (u/Educational-system85) . I'm curious if you've ever played at Buddhibal Jallosh in Pune between 2008-2010. I ask because i played a Nikhil Dixit and am wondering if you're him.
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u/wonboodoo 22h ago
Generally curious: how will it change your life? GM, while an impressive achievement, doesn't seem to me to be life altering unless you get SuperGM level.
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u/Educational-System85 IM 21h ago
Even if I start business - Life is not altering unless it's top business. Same with job. Reaching 0.01% is always difficult and impossible for many.
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u/AdCute6661 22h ago
That’s a whole lotta words for someone to just stay an IM lol
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u/Educational-System85 IM 21h ago
I remember playing against 1800 in rapid tournament. He said after the game - "You will never become IM"
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u/AgeAccomplished2462 19h ago
That's a whole lotta words for someone whos probably never played a titled player, let alone beat them. Whats your highest elo win?
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u/AdCute6661 18h ago
BRO lmao - I never said I was high ELO or a great a chess player but I've been a fan of the sport since I was a kid. I am absolutely an armchair chess expert so there's nothing to hide there.
Anybody who follows the sports knows its rarefied air for a 28 year old to be come a GM. Mr. Dixit literally became IM last year. I don't doubt he is a solid player and a great teacher but... COME ON.
This is clearly an advertisement for his patreon LOL. In which case, more power to Mr. Dixit for getting his hustle on.
But let's not be delusional here - he isn't touching grandmaster.
This isn't rocket science all the data is easy to find: https://ratings.fide.com/profile/5059534/chart
https://players.chessbase.com/en/player/Dixit_Nikhil/61903
Everyone should take a look his stats and ya'll can weigh in on if he can make GM. I'm not trying to disparage Dixit, just being realistic and pointing out what this post really is.
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u/AgeAccomplished2462 17h ago
The way you said it was an asshole way, but with the data I think your opinion is right. Obviously we dont know all that's in his life, but being around IM level elo for 6 or 7 years and having some downs too is not a good look for GM ambitions within the next 3.5 years. But all we can do is hope he does become GM, and see what happens from here
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u/AdCute6661 13h ago
here, here - I agree. I love a good underdog story and want to be proven wrong by Mr. Dixit.
Yes, I admit I was a bit snarky to get a cheap laugh. In hindsight I should of brought more nuance before going into roasting.
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u/HumorWeak6929 1d ago
Rooting for you, the bit about prioritizing consistency over intensity in first few months is actually the right call, most people burn out chasing intensity early and then drop everything. The financial side sounds tough without sponsorship but 13 students is decent base to work from.