India's International Master

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 13/02/2026

India gets latest International Master

Vidit Gujarathi

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In recent years, chess training has evolved rapidly. With the rise of online platforms, players today have access to top coaches, databases, and resources from anywhere in the world. While this digital revolution has undoubtedly accelerated improvement, the role of offline chess academies continues to hold a special and irreplaceable value, especially for ambitious players. Offline academies provide a disciplined environment, regular face-to-face interaction with coaches, and the opportunity to train alongside equally motivated peers. For many players, this setting develops focus and emotional control, which is difficult to develop in online setups.

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Address: Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Patelwadi.Kurla, Kurla West, Kurla, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400070

It is from this understanding that Grandmaster Swapnil Dhopade has taken a significant step by launching his own offline chess academy, Chess Pathshala, in Nagpur. He spoke in detail about his coaching journey, the reasoning behind starting an offline academy, and his long-term vision for Chess Pathshala.