Upstep Academy: Revolutionizing Chess Education from Mumbai to the World

Upstep Academy: Revolutionizing Chess Education from Mumbai to the World

In a world where chess is often relegated to an extracurricular activity, a quiet revolution is taking place. Thousands of children are logging into online classes from Mumbai, learning not just the game, but vital skills like strategy, decision-making, and discipline. At the heart of this movement is Upstep Academy, an innovative online chess academy founded by Mumbaikar Abhijit Hatkar.

Since its inception, Upstep Academy has trained over 30,000 students across more than 20 countries, transforming the landscape of chess education. What began as a solution to a common problem in chess learning has quickly evolved into one of the fastest-growing online chess ecosystems for children.

Abhijit, a seasoned chess player with a 2000+ FIDE rating, FIDE Instructor, and Arbiter, recognized a recurring challenge among young learners: while many showed promise, they often struggled to maintain direction and consistency in their learning journey. “The issue wasn’t talent,” Abhijit explains. “We saw many young players losing direction despite having potential. There was a need for a more consistent and engaging learning experience.”

Armed with an academic background in Information Technology, Abhijit approached the problem with a systems mindset. He envisioned an academy where chess coaching was not just a series of isolated classes but a structured, measurable, and engaging learning experience. This vision led to the birth of Upstep Academy, which emphasizes long-term development over short-term results.

Today, students from countries including India, the United States, Australia, Singapore, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East participate in classes managed from Mumbai. The academy’s approach mirrors the city itself—ambitious, fast-moving, and quietly global.

At Upstep, students progress through meticulously designed learning stages that emphasize concept clarity, practical application, and continuous assessment. Classes are conducted in small, interactive groups, and a gamified learning portal allows students and parents to track progress in an engaging manner.

With over 300 coaches on board, Upstep Academy has cultivated a vibrant student community spanning multiple countries. Yet, the academy’s most compelling validation comes from the achievements of its students.

In India, 7-year-old Shreyanshi Jain recently clinched a Gold Medal in Blitz Solving and a Bronze Medal in Rapid (U8) at the FIDE World Cadets Championship 2026 in Serbia. She is also an Asian Schools triple medallist and has secured four national titles in 2025. Another young talent, Tanishka Bhandari, emerged as the Under-7 Girls National Champion for 2025-26.

Internationally, 13-year-old Clio Alessi from Italy became the Girls U13 Champion at the 2026 European School Chess Championship, while Reyaansh Chakrabarty, an Indian-Australian prodigy, became the youngest-ever Australian Junior Chess Champion, achieving a remarkable 2300+ FIDE rating at just 12 years old.

For Abhijit, success is not solely measured by medals and rankings. He emphasizes the importance of the confidence, discipline, and decision-making skills that students develop through chess. Serious competitive players also benefit from Upstep’s Grandmaster Accelerator Program (GAP), which offers insights from five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. Students have had rare opportunities to engage in special interactions and simultaneous exhibitions with Anand, experiences seldom found in traditional coaching environments.

What makes Upstep Academy particularly unique is its ability to maintain its operations from Mumbai while reaching students worldwide. This reflects a modern Mumbai success story—local roots with a global reach.

From a single player’s vision to a platform teaching children across continents, Upstep Academy exemplifies how innovative thinking can reshape education. As students log in from various corners of the globe, the vision behind their lessons continues to flourish in the heart of Mumbai.