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.
Smirnov breaks down attacks into three triggers: "Undefended Piece," "Exposed King," and "Clumsy Queen." The new edition includes a "Tempo Calculator" that tells you exactly how many moves you have before the counterattack comes.
The real magic is the synergy. The Calculation course feeds the Attacking Manual , while Positional Understanding makes Endgame Expert intuitive. Purchased separately, these courses would cost over $800. The bundled price (often on sale for $297-$347) makes it a steal for the serious improver.
Teaches the fundamental principles behind every winning game, helping players find the right plan in any position. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
Teaching a systematic approach to finding the best move in any position, minimizing random or intuitive blunders. Essential "New" & Updated Courses by GM Smirnov
The math is straightforward: if you were to purchase just a few of these courses individually, you would quickly exceed the cost of the entire bundle. For players committed to serious improvement, the Super Pack represents .
Go to the official Remote Chess Academy website. Do not buy from third-party resellers—the "new" courses require a login portal for the interactive PGNs. Wait for a "Majors" sale (usually during the World Championship or Tata Steel). A focused look at the middlegame, teaching players
Of course, no teaching method works for everyone. Some players find Smirnov’s marketing “over-hyped,” and a few criticize specific lessons as less useful for lower-rated players. However, the overwhelming consensus is that for those who put in the work.
Smirnov's courses offer a range of features that make them stand out from other chess courses:
The ninth course in various bundles often rotates or includes specialized training, such as "The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding," which reinforces the concepts of space, pawn structures, and piece maneuvering. The Calculation course feeds the Attacking Manual ,
Tactics are the heart of chess, but calculation is the brain. If you struggle with missing opponents' moves or failing to see your own combinations, this is the course for you. Accurate calculation and tactical awareness.
Instead of equalizing, you bait White into overextending. The new edition focuses heavily on the and the Winawer French . Smirnov includes a "Trap Index"—a cheat sheet of 30 opening traps you can set by move 12.
You are a (below 800 ELO)—consider starting with a single foundational course first
A quick look at online forums shows a consistent pattern of positive feedback from students. On Chess.com, one user shared, "I am currently taking lessons from GM Igor Smirnov and I have learned a lot so far. I find that GM Smirnov's lessons are a good compromise" compared to an expensive personal coach. A player on a chess blog noted that studying Smirnov's "free courses helped me break my plateau and helped me gain 83 (FIDE) Elo points in less than a year!"
A practical guide to the endgame that focuses not on memorizing every theoretical position, but on understanding the essential principles needed to win or draw games in the final phase. 8. How to Beat Stronger Opponents