As India nears its 100th Grandmaster, veteran GM Pravin Thipsay questions the booming coaching industry, arguing that expensive training is often unnecessary and independent thinking matters more. While he calls the ecosystem an “unfortunate racket”, Grandmaster Aaryan Varshney offers a counterpoint, saying guidance remains crucial in the computer era. With inputs from Grandmasters, the story examines whether aspiring players really need to hire an expensive coach to become a GM.