If I started playing Chess today in the age of 21. How much time would it take to play like a GM?

If you dedicate your life to it, there is a tiny chance to do it (pretty unlikely, but perhaps you are extremely talented). Getting to 2 000 FIDE is a great achievement for starters and it would take a couple of years at least. If you ever get there, aim higher. GMs are rare beings, it is much more likely to become a PhD.

Yeah, some of these questions seems repetitive.

The Queen's Gambit binging effect, perhaps?

The GM title is already in the mail. 

There was a time when everyone just wanted to be a princess. The good old days.... 

The honest answer is it's too late... far too late... to be a professional player.

The GM title is significantly easier than being a professional player, but still the honest answer is it's too late if you're a beginner at 21.

Oh sure people mention 19th century greats like Chigorin, but in all honesty his level is a joke compared to what modern titled players go through.

You're literally up against people who were the perfect storm of talent and opportunity. These are players whose parents pulled them out of school, gave them professional coaches, and had them tour Europe playing in all the major tournaments... and that was at age 10. By the time they're 21 they're veterans.

Yes exactly, and aside from that at 21, surely you should be thinking of a career, or at least a job, or some kind of other priorities - three hours a day on studying chess? Doesn't exactly seem like a good idea. 

And as already mentioned, this Q is so repetitive. Why not look at the threads from years ago of so many people with similar aims...that'll tell you a lot.

But, as the old proverb goes:

“Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe”

In other words it's a lot of fun at every level, and you can definitely improve year after year, eventually becoming better than you can currently imagine. Really.

And honestly this is how strong players start... they play and learn because it's a joy to be better today than you were yesterday, if only better by a very little bit... usually in ways that no one is aware of but yourself. Sure you lost again, but you considered something new, or tried something different, and that was exciting. That's how you improve, little by little, and that's the joy of chess... not a title or being a professional. That stuff is ornamental.

So don't get into chess to be a GM, but do get into chess for the reason all GMs have:  because it's challenging and a lot of fun.

As has been the consistent answer for these types of questions, the answer is it is incredibly unlikely to ever happen. But I guess the people who make such a title don't really care about the poor odds. Good luck regardless.

tiny tiny chance, wouldn't reccomend you try

Sub To Tuckers Tricks on YT

This works, I'm Going to be a GM any day now.

Sub To Tuckers Tricks on YT

bruh just do programming and you can find a good job. If you specialize in one programming  language its not that hard to find a job with at least 65k a year.

Lottsa average GMs have a hard time making a living...

3 hours a day isn't nearly enough to reach GM level, unfortunately.

Increase that amount to around 6 to 9 hours a day, if you want to be realistic.

And at that pace, you're still looking at around 5 to 10 years of really hard work. And not just hard work, but smart work.

Ideally, you'll want a professional coach to help you along the way.

If you're prepared to do the above, then a title might be within reach. But even then, there are no guarantees . . .

It's almost mind-boggling how much work it takes to reach the GM level.

Have you achieved such a skill in any other hobby in your life up until now? If not then probably you have zero chance.