Igor Smirnov All 9 Chess Courses New — Gm
GM Igor Smirnov ’s transition from a competitive player to a world-renowned coach has fundamentally changed how thousands of amateurs approach the game. His pedagogical philosophy centers on the "Thinking System," moving away from the memorization of endless variations toward a logical, rule-based algorithm for making every move. The Core Curriculum: Smirnov’s Signature Courses
While Smirnov’s Remote Chess Academy (RCA) library now contains dozens of specialized modules, his foundational "Super Pack" is often characterized by these nine essential pillars of improvement:
The Grandmaster's Secrets: Smirnov's entry point, which introduces the core thinking process and debunks common training myths that cause players to plateau.
The Grandmaster's Opening Laboratory (1 & 2): Instead of rote memorization, these courses teach the underlying principles of the opening phase and provide a solid, professional repertoire. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
Your Winning Plan: A focused look at the middlegame, teaching players how to formulate concrete plans based on the specific requirements of the pawn structure and piece coordination.
Calculate Till Mate: Addresses the common "tactical blindness" by providing a systematic method for calculating long, forcing variations without making errors.
An Endgame Expert: Simplifies the most complex phase of the game into high-level rules, ensuring players can convert winning advantages or save theoretical draws. GM Igor Smirnov ’s transition from a competitive
The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding: A deep dive into strategy, teaching the "positional secrets" that allow masters to improve their position move by move without needing direct tactical threats.
Self-Taught Grandmaster: A comprehensive training manual on how to study independently, providing a structured curriculum for those without a personal coach.
How to Beat Titled Players: Specifically designed for intermediate players (1600-2000 Elo) looking to bridge the gap and defeat masters by exploiting psychological and strategic vulnerabilities. Why Smirnov's Approach is Different Course 4: Typical Tactics & Checkmates (New Edition)
Course 4: Typical Tactics & Checkmates (New Edition)
Most people know "back rank mate" and "fork." Smirnov goes deeper into Thematic Tactics.
- The "Silent Move" checkmate: Patterns where the killing move is not a check.
- The Deflection Matrix: How to force the enemy king into a mating net using a "sacrifice cascade."
- The 24 Essential Mating Patterns: But taught via story sequences, not flashcards.
6. The Attacking Manual (Volumes 1 & 2 – Counted as two courses)
- Focus: Checkmating patterns and sacrificial ideas.
- Key Takeaway: Recognizing “weak points” (f7, g7, h7), the Greek Gift sacrifice, and how to build an attack when the opponent’s king is in the center or castled.
- Best For: Defensive players who want to become aggressive.
5. Your Winning Plan
One of the most common frustrations for club players is knowing what to do when there are no tactics.
- Focus: This course bridges the gap between positional understanding and concrete action. It focuses on prophylaxis and maneuvering.
- Key Takeaway: It teaches how to create a plan based on the specific weaknesses of the opponent’s position, rather than applying generic advice.