Many club players excel at tactics but struggle when the position becomes closed or quiet. This course bridges that gap.
"You hung your rook on move 18," the ghost said. "But you didn't see it because you were trying to recall a 'grandmaster idea' from Course #5. You ignored the free lesson: look at your opponent’s last move with hate ."
: When and how to march your pawns forward to break open the enemy king.
: Free guidebooks detailing how to structure your calculation tree. 2. The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov is a Russian chess player and coach with a reputation for producing exceptional results. With a career spanning over three decades, Smirnov has established himself as one of the world's leading chess experts. He has worked with numerous top players, including world champions, and has written several bestselling chess books.
Contrary to the common belief that endgames are all about memorizing theoretical positions, this course focuses on practical endgame strategy. It teaches a way of thinking that will guide you in the majority of real-game endgame situations.
: The long-term sustainability of providing free courses is a significant concern. Without a revenue stream, it can be challenging to maintain and update course materials. Many club players excel at tactics but struggle
"That’s it?" Leo asked. "That’s the 'better than nine courses'?"
Psychology-focused training. Self-Taught Grandmaster: A guide to training methods.
Igor Smirnov is a Ukrainian chess grandmaster and one of the most respected chess coaches in the world. With a wealth of experience in training top players, Smirnov has developed an exceptional understanding of the game, allowing him to convey complex concepts in a clear and concise manner. His courses have been widely praised for their effectiveness, and he's considered one of the leading authorities on chess strategy and tactics. "But you didn't see it because you were
Leo stopped binge-watching courses. He started playing slower. He asked one question per move: "If I do nothing, what kills me?" Within two months, he hit 1850. He never bought another course.
: Overcoming the fear of higher-rated opponents. Best Free Alternatives
| 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) |