Niranjan Navalgund’s new Chessable course: How to beat a Grandmaster

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 05/04/2026

FIDE Master Niranjan Navalgund has officially launched his first Chessable course, “How to Beat a Grandmaster.” The course moves beyond traditional opening theory to explore the psychology, practical preparation, and mindset required to compete against elite opposition. Drawing from his personal journey, including his maiden GM norm in 2017, Niranjan has crafted a cinematic guide for players of all levels. In an interview with ChessBase India, he discusses the motivation behind the course and why this material is relevant even for non-chess players. Read the article to know more. Photo: Chessable

What it really takes to beat a Grandmaster

Chess players often obsess over the perfect opening line or the most complex endgames. But what happens when you face a Grandmaster? How does your preparation change? What is going through their mind? FM Niranjan Navalgund, a man of many talents, author, coach, and social media wizard at Chess.com India, has spent years asking these exact questions. In 2017, he scored a GM norm at the Parshavanath Delhi Open 2017 while rated just 2207. He proved that the gap between an untitled player and a GM is often more mental than technical. Now, he has distilled that experience into a unique Chessable course titled "How to Beat a Grandmaster." We spoke with Niranjan to discuss the making of the course, the art of storytelling in chess, and why he believes you need to "train your chimp."

Check out Niranjan's Chessable course here.

Interview with Niranjan Navalgund

Q. What was the motivation behind creating this Chessable course? Can you tell us about the thought behind the course title as well?

A: The idea for this course actually started when I pitched about 6–7 concepts to Chessable, and they chose this one. It all began back in February 2025, when I reached out to Luciana at Chessable asking if staff members could create courses. She encouraged me to go ahead and connected me with Andrew James, and that’s where the journey really began. The course went through multiple phases. I had tournaments in between, including Nationals in Guntur, and after that event, I made a clear decision to sit down and finish the core ideas and structure. Once the first draft was ready, we went through several rounds of editing before arriving at something that truly felt right.

The main motivation was simple. There is a lot of material out there on openings, middlegames, endgames, structures, and even biographies. But when it comes to the practical experience of facing a grandmaster, there is very little. I wanted to create something that fills that gap, even if only in a small way. I also wanted the course to feel a bit cinematic. I enjoy storytelling, and I wanted the experience to have that flow. The title reflects exactly what the course is about; it’s direct, clear, and practical. If you’re playing a GM tomorrow morning, this is what you’d want to watch the night before.

For Niranjan, the idea of this course stems from years of experience, reflection, and a memorable GM norm journey.

Q. Tell us about the course itself, and what content is being offered in the course.

A: The course explores both the big picture and the finer details of what it takes to beat a grandmaster. We begin by understanding what makes a grandmaster strong. Then we look at where they can be vulnerable. After that, we shift focus to ourselves and the mistakes we must avoid. A big part of the course is the mental game, something that has been ignored for a long time but is now gaining importance. You can see examples like Paddy Upton working with Gukesh, which shows how relevant this area has become. From there, I share my personal journey, including my first win against a GM, and the lessons that came from it. I also introduce the tools and methods that helped me along the way.

There’s a simulation exercise towards the end where you’ll feel like you’re actually facing a GM and get to test everything you’ve learned. The exercises are based on real games involving grandmasters. There’s also a special chapter inspired by Lord Krishna, drawing lessons from his wisdom and applying them to chess. And just like in movies, there’s a post-credit moment. The chapter titled “Hold on, there’s something more” carries a message that I believe every chess player should reflect on. Ultimately, I hope that after finishing the course, you feel more confident when facing a GM. Personally, I’m also excited to test these ideas that emerged during the process of creating this course.

The course aims to equip players with the mindset and tools needed to take on Grandmasters

Q. What do you hope people take away from the course?

A: This course is for everyone. Beginners, intermediate players, serious tournament players, norm seekers, and even parents. In fact, I would go a step further and say that even someone who doesn’t play chess but enjoys sports can take something valuable from it, especially from the chapters on handling losses and the mental game. For tournament players, it gives a clear framework for preparation. I’ve tried to be open about even the smallest details that go into performing well. More than anything, I hope this course helps not just your chess, but also your mindset and approach to challenges. Even if one idea from the course stays with you, I think it’s worth it. And honestly, if this inspires even a few people, it will motivate me to create more in the future.

Q. Share a little bit about your chess journey, working with Chess.com India, and the different roles you have played.

A: Chess has played a huge role in my life and continues to do so. Achieving a GM norm gave me the confidence to take on a subject like this, though the goal of becoming a GM is still very much alive. Sometimes it’s at the forefront, sometimes in the background, but it’s always there. At Chess.com, I started as a social media manager in 2020. Over time, my role expanded. I began writing articles, covering news, creating content, making memes, and producing broadcasts. As the team at Chess.com India grew, I was able to focus more holistically on social media, not just for India but occasionally for the global Chess24 platform as well.

On a different note, I also recently wrote a spontaneous book titled “What Happened To That Penguin”, inspired by a trending meme and a deeper philosophical idea I was exploring.

Check out Niranjan's book here.

A big thank you to you and the entire ChessBase India team for all the support! There is actually a special connection between this course and ChessBase India. It goes back to the two-part article I wrote in 2017 about my journey to achieving my maiden Grandmaster norm. Readers may enjoy reading that as well! Check out parts 1 and 2.