Is it possible for me to become a chess grandmaster?

Question

I am currently 15 years of age, and was taught how to play chess at the age of 3 by my own father. What I would like to know is, is it possible for me to become a chess grandmaster? Here are some additional details which may help! I am a 4 time school champion (elementary and also high school, I have won the championship every time I have entered the tournament). I am in gr.10 and I also am the captain of the gr.12 senior team. I have also won the regional championship for my area, but I refused to go to the provincial level, because I was concerned that I may not be ready to advance to such a level. Over 5 hours a day go into chess, and I consistently study openings, defences, and variations of all sorts. I plan to study chess all throughout university. My dad has a electronic chess computer that has its hardest strength at 1800, and I have beaten it many times. Based on this information, am I on the right track to becoming successful in a possible chess career down the road? All help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

Are there any good chess coaches you could talk to about this? Almost no one achieves GM level without going through several coaches as they progress through the levels, but you'll have to find at least one coach that can work with you as you progress. Reaching Expert level can be done on one's own, but beyond that, you'll need to get a coach.



Get involved with your National Chess Organization (from whatever country you're in)...and find out who the best teachers and coaches are. Contact the teachers and coaches, talk to them, see what you think of them. They'll be able to tell you what will be involved if you want to become a Grandmaster.



And the sooner you get yourself a good coach, the better. You might be able to crush your regional competition, but I'm sure you're aware that it gets MUCH tougher once you go on from there. Getting a good coach will allow you to eliminate any bad habits you may have formed.



But it sounds like you probably have the tactical and endgame aspects of the game pretty well figured out. If that's the case, then you can certainly expand your study of openings, which it sounds like you're doing.



Talk to some coaches... if you are going to achieve GM status, you'll need to plan every step of the way. A great coach can help you do just that.



Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

The potential is there, but don't count on it. The scholastic achievements sound nice, but there's no way for me to tell whether they show your strength or your opponents' weakness. The key number I pay attention to is your rating. You've beaten an 1800 (computer) opponent many times, but what's your win percentage against it?



If you can beat the 1800-rated computer 80-90% of the time, then I'd say you're on track. If you beat it 10-20% of the time, then don't get your hopes up too high. In any case, computer chess is a bit weird, you'll get a truer measure of your skills by playing humans in real live tournaments.



You're putting in an impressive amount of work into chess, but if you aren't playing in rated tournaments on a regular basis then you're way behind the curve. If you are, then your rating should tell you what you need to know. As a general rule, a future grandmaster would probably be rated at least 2000 at your age. In any case, I think you should focus on becoming a master before you worry about grandmaster status.



Good luck in any case!

Answer 3

No, Chess at that level competitively speaking is extremely brutal besides you need the right tools to be a GM a very strong will to win, the nerves to stand the stress, good memory, a talent for the game. There's lots and lots of travel involved not cheap and very expensive: hotels, food and lodging, airfare, car rental. While your putting all this commitment and effort to become a Grandmaster how are you going to ever find the time to make a living? if your rich this isn't an issue but if your not it will be.

Answer 4

I think you can definitely be a chess grandmaster, but keep in mind, the game of chess was created for fun, not just all about the challenges.

Answer 5

the first real step is stop second guessing yourself. join the U.S.C.F and see how far you really can go. my level is 1400+ but i dont spend nearly as much time as you. can you play a 5 minute game? can you play 20 games at the same time?

Answer 6

yeah but you need to beat grandmasters first to be one

Answer 7

always remember anythings possible just stick to it

Answer 8

uh yea sounds that way

Answer 9

Yes, it is possible.