If you are a beginner (
If you are looking for the "all 9 courses" experience—or more, as his library actually contains dozens—here is how to navigate his resources effectively.
Fortunately, you can get the core benefits of GM Igor Smirnov’s training system completely . The Remote Chess Academy provides an abundance of free resources that mirror the exact teachings found in their paid programs. 1. The RCA Free Chess Courses & eBooks
These premium courses form Smirnov's "System of Thinking," designed to take players from club level to 2000+ ELO. Igor Smirnov's Courses worth giving a try? - Chess Forums 9 Jan 2016 — gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free
Having analyzed all nine core courses from the Remote Chess Academy (RCA), the answer is clear: Free content gives you information; Smirnov’s courses give you a transformation.
A condensed guide to the most important rules for winning games.
| Course Name | Focus | Free Alternative | Gap | |-------------|-------|------------------|------| | | Positional chess (pawn structures, outposts, etc.) | “Chess Structures” by Mauricio Flores Rios (free Lichess study), GM Naroditsky’s positional videos | Less structured path, but same core concepts | | Calculate Till Mate | Tactics & calculation | Chesstempo (free), Lichess tactics, “Predator at the Chessboard” (free ebook) | No personalized feedback; Smirnov adds pattern categorization | | The Secret of Chess Tactics | Tactical motifs | Same as above. Free tactics trainers are exhaustive. | Minimal | | GM’s Opening Preparation | Opening principles + a few systems | Lichess opening explorer (free), YouTube: Hanging Pawns, GothamChess, Chessfactor | Smirnov discourages memorization—good; his actual lines are shallow | | The King’s Scandi (specific opening) | Scandinavian Defense | Free Scandi videos (e.g., IM Sielecki, Hanging Pawns) + Lichess database | Only a few novelties; not worth paying for | | Universal Chess Strategy | Strategic themes | Lichess “Learn → Practice” exercises, “Winning Chess Strategies” (Seirawan – free PDF available) | Smirnov’s “universal” approach is just basic strategy | | The Chess Tempo Guide | Time management | “Simple Chess” (Stean – free PDF), YouTube: “Time management in chess” by ChessDojo | Minimal difference | | Self-Taught Grandmaster | Learning methodology | “Study Plan” on Lichess, “How to Get Good at Chess” (free series by Kostya Kavutskiy) | Smirnov’s is more systematic but not novel | | The Grandmaster’s Secrets (Flagship) | Psychology, training, thinking system | “Pump Up Your Rating” (Smith – free sample), “Amateur’s Mind” (Silman – free PDF excerpts) | Smirnov’s psychological framing is his most unique; still, free psychology content exists (e.g., “Chess Psychology” by Dr. Canbalaban) | If you are a beginner ( If you
The debate between paid courses and free resources is ongoing. Here is a direct comparison based on common student reviews: GM Smirnov Courses Free YouTube/Web Content Extremely High (Step-by-step) Very Low (Fragmented) Cohesion All courses connect Topics are disjointed Time Investment Efficient (Saves time) Time-consuming searching Thinking System Provided & Trained Rarely taught in depth Cost −negative Why the Courses Can Be "Better"
Some players claim free resources are “better” because:
Understanding pawn structures, piece placement, and long-term planning when there are no direct tactical shots. 3. The Grandmaster's Openings Laboratory - Chess Forums 9 Jan 2016 — Having
Which of the (e.g., calculation, openings, endgame) do you struggle with the most? How many hours per week can you dedicate to training? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more Share public link
Covering strategy and planning.
Many players wonder if investing in is truly better than free resources, such as YouTube tutorials, free articles, or study tools on Lichess and Chess.com. This article dives deep into the 9-course curriculum, Smirnov’s philosophy, and whether this paid path offers superior value. 1. Who is GM Igor Smirnov?