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How to Become a Chess Grandmaster - Your Guide to Conquering the Board Game

March 27, 2025 0 Comments

How to Become a Chess Grandmaster - Your Guide to Conquering the Board Game

Chess isn't merely a game, it is an actual battlefield for your mind and only those who maintain patience under pressure win the match. Most of us might think that becoming a grandmaster in chess is the highest achievement in life. But how true it is to be at this level? We'll unwrap it all from how to become a grandmaster in chess, and what a grandmaster even is in this blog. 

Sit back and get ready for an amazing ride through the journey of becoming Grandmaster in Chess. 

Who is a Grandmaster in Chess? 

It’s the top title in the world of chess which is handed out by FIDE, the big chess federation globally. Being a grandmaster means you’re exceptional in the game of chess. You’ve got the skills, the wins, and the confidence to prove it. 

But becoming a chess grandmaster is not a cake walk, you've got to hit 2500 and bring in three "grandmaster norms" from very top-level tournaments before getting it. We will go a little deeper later in this blog.

How Many Grandmasters Are There in Chess? 

Have you ever been curious about how many grandmasters exist in chess? Fast forward to today, in March 2025, there are more than 1800 grandmasters under the FIDE listing. That’s a pretty exclusive club, and it’s growing every year. Now, let’s zoom in on India because, wow, are we killing it! How many chess grandmasters are there in the world from India? We’re sitting at 85, and that number’s climbing fast.

It all kicked off in 1988 when Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster. He was India’s first grandmaster, a trailblazer who lit the fuse. Fast forward to today, and you’ve got P. Shyaamnikhil joined the ranks as the 85th Indian grandmaster in chess in 2024. At Indian Chess Company, we are quite amped to be a part of the chess explosion, supplying boards and pieces to such players dreaming high.

What Rating Gets You to Grandmaster Status? 

This is a frequently asked question: what rating is grandmaster in chess? Well, the magical number is 2500. That is your Elo rating, a system that sizes up how good you are as compared with everyone else. To give you an idea, a decent club player might be around 1500, while the absolute beasts-like Magnus Carlsen-float above 2800. Hitting 2500 is certainly a big deal and adventure, but there lies something quite more than that. You still have to score those norms, which will come to our attention in a little while.

Becoming a Chess Grandmaster: The Real Deal

Let’s get down to brass tacks: how do you become a chess grandmaster? You have a long way ahead of you, but doing it with some heart and hustle is very much possible. Here is how the stepping stones to grandmaster success look like:

1. Start Young-or Just Start!

Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest grandmaster in chess, was only 12 in 2021 when. Quite insane, right? Still, you do not have to be a child genius; the early start simply gives you more time to absorb all this. Get a chess set (Indian Chess Company has some of the best Chess Sets), learn the moves, and begin playing!

2. Get the Basics Down Like Your Life Depends Upon It

Getting better at Chess is primarily about identifying patterns. So, get well acquainted with tactics-forks, pins, skewers, and learn how to win piece exchanges. Endgames are big, too; do not ignore them. 

3. Get a FIDE Rating

Remember, you need a FIDE rating to even think of becoming a grandmaster. You need to sign up for rated tournaments, while local events are just fine to start. Your rating starts when you are basically getting into the arena, and gradually goes up depending on your rising skill. 

4. Work for the 2500 Rating

So, what is that rating for chess grandmaster again? Right, 2500. Sizing up your rating by beating stronger players is simply mandatory. 

5. Get Your Three Norms

This is where things get tricky. A norm can be thought of as a gold star from a strong tournament. You need: 

  • 27-plus games total.

  • Opponents averaging 2380 or above.

  • A performance rating of 2600 or above every time.

  • Games against titled players from various countries.

6. Get to the Big Leagues

Norms are not going to come from events with a little bit of popularity. We are thinking of the Dubai Open or, maybe, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. It is time to pack those bags, give all your heart to the game, and go against another elite class. 

7. Show Up and Keep Showing Up

Usually, it takes about 10-15 years for someone to become a grandmaster. It hurts to lose; yet, it teaches you what you cannot learn from winning. So, keep this one in your mind, it is the consistency on which you will have to fall. 

8. Have the Right Stuff

A real good chess set truly knows how to get you motivated to practice. Indian Chess Company makes some incredible wooden tournament chess boards and pieces, the perfect things for anyone dreaming of becoming a grandmaster!

The Chess Boom in India: The Grandmasters Galore

India has really developed a reputation within the core of the chess community these days. The grandmasters being raised in this country are definitely changing the very narrative of the game, and it is astounding to see. This whole affair started with Anand, the first chess grandmaster of India. He did not merely win games; he made India fall in love with chess. With five world titles under his belt, he is the godfather of Indian chess.

The new generation of Indian chess marvels include the trio: Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi. These young minds are super talented. Gukesh, aged 18, conquered history as the youngest grandmaster to lift the world title in 2024. 

At Indian Chess Company, we are surfing this wonderful wave and assisting players with the finest equipment to pave their way toward excellence.

Tips to Become a Grandmaster

Still wondering about how to become a grandmaster in chess? Here is the bit of advice I have accrued: 

  • Pick an old game or two of Anand's or Carlsen's and figure out why these games were so good.

  • Don't choke on the clock; it is as much an enemy as your opponent.

  • Keep the brain rosy—anything goes: yoga, short run, whatever.

  • But play, play, play. Pick up a set from the Indian Chess Company and start clocking in those hours.

Why Indian Chess Company?

We don't only sell chess sets. Our products are handmade and designed to uplift your performance in the game of chess, whether you are a beginner or the one aspiring for 2500. Chess in India is on fire, and we are here to ensure it stays that way. Come down to Indian Chess Company and grab something special. 

Go Get That Grandmaster Title

Becoming a grandmaster in chess is a huge goal, but it can surely be achieved with very hard work on your part. From figuring out what's a grandmaster in chess to working hard for that 2500 rating, every stage is a victory. And with the number of chess grandmasters being churned out in India these days, the question is, why not you?

Keep moving in your journey of becoming the next grandmaster.



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