GAP is Upstep Academy’s most exclusive chess learning experience — a Grandmaster-led, high-impact group program designed to accelerate growth, clarity, and confidence in every student.
GAP is Upstep Academy’s most exclusive chess learning experience — a Grandmaster-led, high-impact group program designed to accelerate growth, clarity, and confidence in every student.
Dynamic and fun-filled learning sessions. Packed with knowledge and actionable insights, these sessions guarantee to add incredible value to your skills and overall game-play experience.
Get access to bonus Grandmaster sessions over and above the live Masterclass! It is designed to double your chess knowledge and mastery.
An absolute traditional way to get the best solution to all the general queries from the absolute experts of the field!
GAP is Upstep Academy’s most exclusive chess learning experience — a Grandmaster-led, high-impact group program designed to accelerate growth, clarity, and confidence in every student.
Dynamic and fun-filled learning sessions. Packed with knowledge and actionable insights, these sessions guarantee to add incredible value to your skills and overall game-play experience.
Get access to bonus Grandmaster sessions over and above the live Masterclass! It is designed to double your chess knowledge and mastery.
Unlock the mindset of a champion! These sessions are designed to build your mental resilience, focus, and confidence, helping you perform at your peak and become a stronger chess athlete.
An absolute traditional way to get the best solution to all the general queries from the absolute experts of the field!
Key Program
Advantages
Key Program
Advantages
Key Program
Advantages
Key Program
Advantages
Key Program
Advantages
Understand the deep “why” behind moves – not just what to play, but how to think.
GMs and titled players recognize recurring patterns, ideas, and traps that engines can’t always explain. You’ll begin to notice themes that transform your understanding and intuition.
Discover how professionals prepare for tournaments, handle time pressure, manage nerves, and recover from losses. It’s not just knowledge – it’s competitive wisdom.
Their clarity helps students make fewer mistakes and improve faster – saving months of trial-and-error.
Learning from top talent builds belief, seriousness, and identity. It motivates students to aim higher and builds confidence through real mentorship.
| Fee | INR 26,400 / USD 300 for 3 Months |
| Frequency | 2 days / week (4 sessions) |
| Qualification | FIDE Rated Player (Any Format) - 1400 to 1800 or Chess.com (Rapid format) - 1000+ or Lichess (Rapid format) - 1200+ |
| Format | Live Online Sessions |
| Additional | Recorded GM Bonus Vault sessions |
| Psychology Session (Once in a Quarter) |
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| Parent-Teacher Meeting (Once in a Quarter) |
Please Note: Each session = 45 mins. (90-mins = 2 sessions) – Fees inclusive of taxes – Limited seats – admission is first come, first served basis.
Secure your seat early to avoid missing out — this is a limited opportunity for serious learners.
The 62nd Grandmaster of India, Swayams Mishra is one of the country’s most respected and versatile chess minds. With a peak FIDE rating of 2503, he brings over 14 years of elite coaching experience — training world champions, prodigies, and rising stars across the globe.
As the Assistant Coach of the Indian Women’s Team, he helped secure Gold (2024), Silver (2023), and Bronze (2022) at the Chess Olympiads & Asian Games. Known for breaking down complex ideas into simple, actionable insights, Swayams specializes in teaching the kind of practical game sense that even engines can’t give you.
GM Swayams brings elite-level insight and mentorship to every GAP session — helping Upstep students think, train, and play like Grandmasters.
A chess prodigy from Delhi, Sahaj Grover became India’s 29th Grandmaster in 2012 after a stellar youth career that included winning the World Under-10 Championship and a bronze at the World Junior (U-20) Championship. With a peak FIDE rating of 2528, Sahaj has claimed titles like the South African Open (2017 & 2018) and competed at the highest levels worldwide.
Known for his sharp tactics, deep preparation, and ability to spot patterns others miss, Sahaj now brings his expertise to Upstep Academy’s Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP) — helping the next generation master the skills.
FIDE Peak Rating: 2390 | Commonwealth Blitz Champion | Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee
Director, Chess·com India
With over 20 years of playing experience and 12 years of coaching, IM Rakesh has shaped the journeys of aspiring players from beginners to seasoned competitors. His achievements include winning the Commonwealth Blitz title, receiving Maharashtra’s highest sports honor, and now leading Chess·com India’s growth and chess initiatives at the national level.
Tajikistan’s first-ever Grandmaster, Farrukh Amonatov, brings over 40 years of elite chess experience and a legacy of excellence to Upstep Academy’s Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP).
With a peak FIDE rating of 2650 and a current rating of 2598, GM Amonatov has conquered India’s top tournaments — including the Delhi, Mumbai, Odisha, and Chennai GM Opens.
He has also defeated world-class players such as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2804), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (2746), David Navara (2740), and Dmitry Andreikin (2743).
Beyond his extraordinary playing career, GM Amonatov is a renowned chess coach with over 25 years of experience.
He has served as Coach of the Russian Junior Team, trained numerous 2600+ Grandmasters, and mentored the Indian Women’s Olympiad Team, including stars like Divya Deshmukh, Padmini Rout, and others.
His notable Indian students include GM Abhimanyu Puranik, GM Harshit Raja, and GM Swayams Mishra, all of whom have achieved remarkable growth under his guidance.
Through his exclusive collaboration with Upstep Academy, GM Amonatov now offers elite online chess training to Upstep students.
His sessions provide rare insights into Grandmaster-level strategy, calculation, and preparation, making this one of the most exclusive GM coaching opportunities in India.
GAP is Upstep Academy’s premium chess training experience, led by world-class Grandmasters and titled players. It’s designed to take students beyond the basics—focusing on deep strategic understanding, mindset development, and competitive play.
Regular classes at Upstep focus on core concepts and gradual skill building – they focus on structured learning, building core chess concepts, and ensuring steady progress through our proven curriculum. They are essential for consistent growth, discipline, and mastering the fundamentals.
GAP builds on this. It’s designed for students who already know the basics and want to accelerate their growth. In GAP, students get access to live Grandmaster webinars, bonus recorded GM content, high-energy booster sessions, psychology coaching, and parent-teacher meetings—experiences that deepen their understanding, sharpen competitive instincts, and enhance their mindset.
Think of ongoing classes as your daily training and skill building. GAP is your performance booster—the extra edge that transforms a good player into a serious competitor.
GAP sits on top of these regular classes—it’s an accelerated, high-intensity program designed to push students further and faster. It combines live Grandmaster webinars, bonus recorded GM sessions, fun & engaging booster sessions, psychology coaching, and parent-teacher interactions—all crafted to strengthen both skill and mindset, while complementing the progress students make in their regular classes.
Yes. Students can interact directly with the Grandmaster during live sessions through Q&A and get actionable advice.
Sessions are led by Grandmasters such as GM Swayams Mishra and GM Sahaj Grover. In case a GM is unavailable, an International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM), or Woman International Master (WIM) will step in—ensuring high-quality instruction at all times.
We provide recordings of GM session on request, with a 7-day viewing window.
Yes. GAP is designed for students who already know chess basics and want to grow into confident, competitive players.
Click the “Join the Waitlist” button on this page or get in touch with your Relationship Manager at Upstep. Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
