Victorious Chess Academy founder Kapil Lohana’s vision has already shaped history.
T40 is his most ambitious program yet — a structured, data‑driven path to producing 40 GMs from a single academy.
rating in 3.5 years
national champions produced
countries represented
FIDE‑rated coaches
Rating in
3.5 Years
national tournament awards
countries
represented
FIDE Title Holder
Coaches
The T40 program, inspired by the Gurukul tradition, blends discipline, motivation, and resilience with academics for holistic growth.








T40 is built for serious players ready to break through not by doing more, but by training with structure, clarity, and elite guidance. Most serious players don’t lack effort. They lack direction.
A structured, data-driven approach built across four pillars that tells you exactly where to improve and how.

Most games aren’t lost on strategy — they’re lost on one imprecise calculation at a critical moment. T40 trains your mind to think with depth, clarity and accuracy — especially when the clock is ticking and the position is complex.

Opening lines only take you so far. What separates good players from great ones is the ability to understand why a move works — and apply that reasoning confidently to positions they’ve never seen before.

Random game review doesn’t produce consistent improvement. T40 uses a structured three-step cycle — self-reflection, trainer guidance, engine validation — that turns every game into a clear, measurable step forward.

The difference between a good player and a consistent, winning player isn’t always chess knowledge. It’s the ability to stay composed under pressure, recover from setbacks, and maintain energy across long, demanding tournaments.
Designed to fit the needs of dedicated learners while maintaining world-class standards.
T40 offers a professional, adaptable system built for serious competitors:
Elite FIDE trainers, title mentors and performance coaches guiding serious players with proven systems.
NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR COACH
With 20+ years of experience, Kapil Lohana’s unique coaching philosophy goes beyond the board — his students have found success not just in chess, but in all walks of life.
FIDE SENIOR TRAINER
A legendary name in Indian chess, GM Praveen Thipsay has represented India at 7 Olympiads and coached world-class talents. His vast experience and elite mentorship inspire serious players aiming for the highest level.
FIDE INSTRUCTOR
With 37+ years of experience, FM Sauravh Khherdekar has shaped top talents including Vidit Gujrathi and Raunak Sadhwani. His profound understanding of the game continues to produce champions at the national level.
FIDE SENIOR TRAINER
With over 40 years of experience and 25+ national titles, Sekhar Sahu has coached Indian teams internationally and mentored several grandmasters, earning legendary status in the Indian chess community
FIDE TRAINER
A FIDE Trainer, author of Art of Thinking, and founder of Mission Chess for Change, Atanu Lahiri has a career spanning elite coaching, federation leadership, and grassroots impact;he truly embodies the belief that chess builds thinking minds and strong character.
PERFORMANCE COACH
Snehal Sir has coached players ranging from 1400 to 2100 ELO across all levels. Known for his systematic approach, he helps students identify and overcome specific weaknesses to achieve consistent, measurable progress.
AUTHOR & FIDE TRAINER
A true legend of Indian chess, Raghunandan Gokhale has coached everyone from youth players to grandmasters and visually impaired athletes. Former chairman of key chess bodies, his impact on the chess community is unparalleled.
CANDIDATE MASTER
With 24+ years of international playing experience and 10+ years of coaching, CM Deepak Katiyar shapes well-rounded players by focusing equally on the mental and strategic dimensions of the game.
FOUNDATION & TOURNAMENT PREP COACH
With 5+ years of coaching experience, Atharva has successfully guided students through the competitive circuit of state and national tournaments, building strong fundamentals and competitive confidence.
ANALYTICAL CHESS SPECIALIST
Dr. Pratik blends analytical thinking with deep chess knowledge to deliver thoughtful, structured coaching. His dual rating across FIDE and USCF systems reflects his broad competitive experience and versatility.
DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR VCA COACH
One of VCA’s most senior coaches, Sameer Ghela combines advanced chess knowledge with well-structured teaching methods to develop strong, disciplined players from the ground up.
FOUNDATION & GROWTH COACH
Known for making learning memorable through engaging stories and principle-based teaching, he helps students improve consistently while staying confident and approachable throughout their chess journey.
NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR COACH
With 20+ years of experience, Kapil Lohana’s unique coaching philosophy goes beyond the board — his students have found success not just in chess, but in all walks of life.
FIDE SENIOR TRAINER
A legendary name in Indian chess, GM Praveen Thipsay has represented India at 7 Olympiads and coached world-class talents. His vast experience and elite mentorship inspire serious players aiming for the highest level.
FIDE SENIOR TRAINER
With over 40 years of experience and 25+ national titles, Sekhar Sahu has coached Indian teams internationally and mentored several grandmasters, earning legendary status in the Indian chess community
FIDE INSTRUCTOR
With 37+ years of experience, FM Sauravh Khherdekar has shaped top talents including Vidit Gujrathi and Raunak Sadhwani. His profound understanding of the game continues to produce champions at the national level.
FIDE TRAINER
A FIDE Trainer, author of Art of Thinking, and founder of Mission Chess for Change, Atanu Lahiri has a career spanning elite coaching, federation leadership, and grassroots impact;he truly embodies the belief that chess builds thinking minds and strong character.
PERFORMANCE COACH
Snehal Sir has coached players ranging from 1400 to 2100 ELO across all levels. Known for his systematic approach, he helps students identify and overcome specific weaknesses to achieve consistent, measurable progress.
AUTHOR & FIDE TRAINER
A true legend of Indian chess, Raghunandan Gokhale has coached everyone from youth players to grandmasters and visually impaired athletes. Former chairman of key chess bodies, his impact on the chess community is unparalleled.
CANDIDATE MASTER
With 24+ years of international playing experience and 10+ years of coaching, CM Deepak Katiyar shapes well-rounded players by focusing equally on the mental and strategic dimensions of the game.
FOUNDATION & TOURNAMENT PREP COACH
With 5+ years of coaching experience, Atharva has successfully guided students through the competitive circuit of state and national tournaments, building strong fundamentals and competitive confidence.
ANALYTICAL CHESS SPECIALIST
Dr. Pratik blends analytical thinking with deep chess knowledge to deliver thoughtful, structured coaching. His dual rating across FIDE and USCF systems reflects his broad competitive experience and versatility.
DEVELOPMENTAL INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR VCA COACH
One of VCA’s most senior coaches, Sameer Ghela combines advanced chess knowledge with well-structured teaching methods to develop strong, disciplined players from the ground up.
FOUNDATION & GROWTH COACH
Known for making learning memorable through engaging stories and principle-based teaching, he helps students improve consistently while staying confident and approachable throughout their chess journey.
Strengthening the mental game of chess.
Former VCA student and founder of Mind Over Moves Inc., is a sports psychology consultant and former international chess player
Fuelling champions from the inside out.
With 10+ years of experience and three years alongside VCA, she integrates nutrition, movement, and mindfulness to build the stamina and energy that high-performance chess demands.
The structure behind T40's success.
International-rated player and National Instructor who designs T40’s training systems and pathways — committed to building the ecosystem that produces future Grandmasters.
“Over the years, I have seen that hard work alone is not enough — direction matters.
T40 is built to give players the right structure, so their effort leads to real, long-term growth.”
The T40 Program was developed over four years within Victorious Chess Academy, backed by 20+ years of teaching experience. We have trained 9800+ students across 30+ countries, while carefully selecting and nurturing a focused group within our academy.
It was a closed system designed to refine a structure that delivers real, long-term results. After proven success and consistent growth, T40 is now ready to be introduced to the world.
At its core, T40 is a modern gurukul rooted in a timeless tradition. True mastery here is not taught in a classroom—it is lived. Students travel from across India and beyond, staying close to the academy for months at a stretch. Some come for shorter, intensive spells. What they all share is a willingness to step away from the ordinary and commit fully to the game.
At T40, we have always believed that a great chess player is, first, a complete human being. Which is why training at T40 goes far beyond the board. Alongside rigorous chess sessions—both online and offline—students engage in physical activities and long walks in nature, building the fitness and mental resilience that competitive chess demands. This unique blend of technical depth and human development is what defines T40.
A stronger player. A complete one.
Discuss your child’s progress and learning path with our experts.
Play a game and evaluate your skills with expert guidance.
This program follows a long-term, mentorship-driven approach—not short-term coaching. Students train under close guidance with continuous observation and correction, focusing on thinking, discipline, and consistency. The program aims to produce 40 Grandmasters and is designed for those committed to real chess growth.
The program is best suited for intermediate to advanced players with serious intent. Students should know basic rules, notation, and fundamentals. More than current level, attitude, discipline, and willingness to train matter. Applicants go through a qualification process to ensure readiness. This keeps the training environment focused and high-quality
Training is led by experienced coaches with proven competitive backgrounds, supported by Grandmasters and expert mentors through focused sessions and guidance. Students develop elite-level thinking and strong tournament preparation, with structured coaching that ensures consistency and accountability.
Training follows a phase-wise progression. Openings are taught through ideas, plans, and typical positions. Middlegame focuses on calculation, strategy, and decision-making. Endgames are trained systematically from basics to practical play. Students learn to connect all phases smoothly.
Every game is reviewed using a structured, objective analysis framework. Coaches focus on critical moments, decision-making, and recurring mistakes. Students learn why moves work or fail, not just engine suggestions. Progress is tracked through patterns, not only results. This turns every game into a learning opportunity.
Students typically show rating improvement and stronger tournament performance over time. They develop discipline, focus, and emotional control under pressure, often progressing from casual play to consistent competitive participation. Parents also notice positive changes beyond chess. The program emphasizes long-term transformation, not quick wins.
We assist families in arranging suitable options near the academy. Recommended accommodations can be chosen to support focused training and ensure safety.
Students have achieved significant rating gains and strong tournament results. Many have represented their country at prestigious events such as the World Cup, World Cadets, and Asian Open. They have also secured top positions and delivered consistent performances at state, national, and international levels.
The program is long-term and in-depth. It involves understanding each student’s strengths and weaknesses and designing a roadmap for their growth. Because this process takes time, it cannot be fully experienced in a trial class, and meaningful conclusions cannot be drawn from a single session.
Admission is selection-based. Applicants are assessed on chess fundamentals, learning attitude, and commitment - through a questionnaire, interaction, or game review. This ensures that only students ready for serious training are admitted, maintaining program quality and growth.
T40 is a high-performance chess program built on years of structured training and proven results.
Designed for serious players, it provides the clarity, direction, and environment needed to achieve long-term excellence.
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