WIM Srishti Pandey

Hi! I’m WIM Srishti Pandey — a titled player with over 11 years of competitive chess experience. I have coached students of all levels, from beginners taking their first steps in the game to advanced players who have successfully gained rating points and won medals in their categories. My training focuses on improving calculation, positional understanding, opening repertoire, and endgame technique.

In addition to my chess expertise, I hold a Diploma in Modern Applied Psychology and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practitioner Certificate. These qualifications help me support my students more effectively, as chess is not only a battle on the board but also a deeply psychological game. Whether you aim to compete in tournaments or simply enjoy improving, I provide structured lessons, personalized homework, and regular progress tracking.

I was crowned National U19 Champion of India in 2019 and have since represented my country in international tournaments across Spain, Hungary, Armenia, Iceland, Germany, Serbia, Portugal, Italy, and France. A highlight of my career came in 2021, when I defeated legendary GM Alex Yermolinsky with the black pieces and held a draw against GM Hikaru Nakamura in the prestigious Titled Tuesday (www.chess.com/game/live/6032461550).
In 2022, I achieved the Woman International Master (WIM) title, a milestone that reflects my dedication, passion, and continuous pursuit of excellence in chess.

For over 6 years, I have been coaching students of all ages and skill levels — from advanced players aiming to increase their rating and win medals in their category to competitive players preparing for tournaments. Since 2024, I have been a coach at the prestigious Dubai Chess and Culture Club, where I work with diverse groups of players and help nurture young talents. Over time, I have developed an engaging and systematic training program that builds a strong foundation while also sharpening advanced skills, ensuring steady improvement in all phases of the game. I am available for both individual and group sessions, and I tailor my approach to suit each student’s needs, learning style, and goals.

Throughout my years of playing chess, I have had the opportunity to work with many strong GMs, such as GM Swapnil Dhopade, GM Debashis Das, GM Kristian Szabo, GM Swayams Mishra, and GM Tornike Sanikidze. This experience has helped me develop a deep understanding of subtle nuances in the game.

Some of my most vital skills include attacking and dynamic play, endgames, and a simple and effective opening repertoire for both colors. I believe in forming long-term friendly relations with my students and organizing online tournaments to foster growth and competition.

My teaching method:
• Assess your current level and goals in the first session.
• Deep post-game analysis: we go through your own games to find weak spots.
• Classical master games study: you’ll learn from the best, so you understand ideas, not just moves.
• Custom openings for White & Black: based on your style, strengths, and preferences.
• Regular work on tactical vision (candidate and intermediate moves) + visualization exercises.
• Weekly goals and homework; I’ll follow up to ensure improvement.
• Optional: tournament preparation, time-management, psychological readiness.

I organize weekly tournaments for my students every Friday to help them stay motivated, apply what they have learned, and enjoy the thrill of competition: lichess.org/team/fun-fridays

I also help my students prepare for tournament games.

If you're interested in learning more or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at pandeysrish018@gmail.com. I hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon!