Better ((top)) Free - Gm Igor Smirnov All 9 Chess Courses

GM Igor Smirnov , founder of the Remote Chess Academy , offers a vast library of over 30 courses. While his premium courses are paid, he provides several free resources to help players build a "Grandmaster thinking system" without the upfront cost. Top 9 Course "Features" (Premium vs. Free) Igor Smirnov's training is unique because it focuses on psychology calculation algorithms rather than just memorizing opening lines. The Grandmaster's Secrets

: His flagship course, teaching the fundamental thinking process used by GMs to find the best moves. The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding

: Focuses on deep strategic planning and how to read the board like a professional. Calculate Till Mate

: A comprehensive system for improving calculation and visualization abilities. The Grandmaster's Opening Lab

: A guide to building a powerful, GM-level opening repertoire effectively. 7 Keys to Victory

: Identifies 7 critical rules that determine the outcome of most chess games. Winning the Middlegame gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free

: Provides an integrated system for planning and executing attacks in the middle of the game. An Endgame Expert

: Simplifies complex endgame theory into practical, actionable rules. Self-Taught Grandmaster

: Teaches you how to train yourself effectively without an expensive personal coach. How to Beat Stronger Opponents

: Specifically designed for club players to overcome higher-rated opponents using psychological and tactical "tricks". Better "Free" Alternatives & Resources GM Igor Smirnov's Super Pack - Remote Chess Academy

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7. “Calculation Mastery” (Advanced)

• What it teaches: Deep calculation, backward thinking, and visualization without a board.
• Free alternative: No serious free alternative exists. Chessable’s free samples are too short.
• Why it’s better: Smirnov uses "Candidate Move Tree" exercises that progress in difficulty. It bridges the gap between 1500 and 2000.

3. Where Smirnov Adds Real Value (vs. Free)

1. Structure & Motivation

   • Free resources require self-curation. Smirnov’s courses give a step-by-step path, useful for undisciplined learners.

2. Psychological Frameworks

   • Concepts like “thinking in terms of opponent’s plans” and “attacking the king without an attack” are explained clearly, though not unique.

3. Time Efficiency

   • A well-produced course might save 50–100 hours of searching YouTube for high-quality content.

4. Decision Tree Filters

   • Smirnov’s “3-step calculation method” (candidate moves → evaluate → choose) is solid pedagogy but appears in Pump Up Your Rating (free PDF legally from author’s old site).

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Part 4: The Hidden Trap of “Free” – Your Time Is Money

Most chess improvers forget the economics of time. If you spend 200 hours watching random free videos to gain 100 ELO, you have wasted 200 hours.

If you spend 20 hours working through The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding and gain 200 ELO, you have saved 180 hours. GM Igor Smirnov , founder of the Remote

GM Smirnov’s courses are better than free because they respect your time. A 4-hour course compresses a decade of Grandmaster experience into a weekend. No YouTube playlist can do that because YouTube rewards length (10 minute videos), not density.

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5. Cost-Benefit Analysis

| Player Level | Recommendation | |--------------|----------------| | Under 1500 | Avoid paying. Free Lichess + Chessable sample courses + YouTube (Naroditsky, Bartholomew) cover everything. | | 1500–1800 | Consider 1-2 courses (e.g., Self-Taught Grandmaster or Positional Understanding) only if you have disposable income and struggle with self-study. | | 1800–2200 | Possibly The Grandmaster’s Secrets for psychological mindset. But free resources (Smith, Silman, Dvoretsky PDFs) work if you’re diligent. | | 2200+ | No benefit. Use free databases (Caissabase), chess engines, and classic literature. |

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Phase 1: The Core Foundations (The "Self-Improvement" Trilogy)

1. The Grandmaster’s Secrets

• Target Audience: Beginners to Intermediate (< 1800 Elo).
• Core Concept: This is the starting point. It explains how to study chess correctly. Most players waste time studying the wrong things; this course corrects your study habits.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How to find the best moves during a game.
  • How to analyze your own games properly.
  • The correct thinking process before and during a move.

2. The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding

• Target Audience: Club Players (1400–2000 Elo).
• Core Concept: This is often considered his "magnum opus" for positional play. It breaks the stereotype that positional play is boring or slow.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The "7 Main Positional Factors" to evaluate any position.
  • How to play "easy chess" by maneuvering pieces to better squares.
  • Understanding the difference between amateur and master planning.

3. The Grandmaster’s Opening Laboratory What it teaches: Deep calculation, backward thinking, and

• Target Audience: All Levels.
• Core Concept: A system for building a reliable opening repertoire without memorizing thousands of lines.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How to choose openings that fit your style.
  • The "Generic System" of opening preparation.
  • How to handle unknown positions right out of the opening.

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Part 6: How to Get Started (Without Overwhelm)

You do not need all 9 courses immediately. Based on the "better than free" analysis, here is the optimal path:

1. Start with “The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding” – It fixes 80% of club player errors.
2. Add “The Psychological Chess Code” – This addresses the hidden reason you lose (tilt, fear, time pressure).
3. Then pick one: Attack (if you love tactics) or Defense (if you bleed rating in endgames).
4. Avoid the bundle until you finish the first two. Do not hoard courses.

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