Pros:
GM Igor Smirnov , a Grandmaster and psychologist, is known for his unique "thinking system" approach to chess education through his Remote Chess Academy. While he has produced over 30 courses, his "Core 9" courses are frequently grouped together as the essential foundation for reaching master level. The "Core 9" Chess Courses
These courses are designed to provide a complete training system, covering everything from the psychological habits of masters to specific phase-of-the-game strategies. 1. The Grandmaster’s Secrets
Focus: The fundamental differences in how Grandmasters think compared to amateurs.
Key Insight: Provides a "Thinking System" to help you find the best move in any position without getting overwhelmed by calculations.
Contents: 5 video lessons and a "Practicum" with 200 special games and tasks. 2. The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
Focus: Deep strategic rules and the underlying logic of positional play.
Key Insight: Aims to make strategic rules feel natural and automatic, focusing on things like Bobby Fischer’s piece play and Petrosian’s pawn floods. Contents: Extensive video lessons and 234 commented games. 3. Calculate Till Mate Focus: Pure calculation skills and tactical vision.
Key Insight: Teaches a systematic way to calculate variations quickly and precisely while avoiding common blunders. 4. The Grandmaster’s Openings Laboratory (1.0 & 2.0)
Focus: Creating a professional opening repertoire without memorizing thousands of lines.
Key Insight: Teaches the "3-step formula" for a successful opening and how to study any opening effectively. 5. Self-Taught Grandmaster
Focus: Training methodology and self-improvement techniques. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
Key Insight: A "map" for progress that includes an anti-blunder training program and instructions on how to use chess databases/engines like a pro. 6. Your Winning Plan Focus: Middlegame planning and strategy.
Key Insight: Explains how to "read" the board to find a concrete plan when there are no obvious tactics. 7. An Endgame Expert Focus: Essential endgame principles for practical players.
Key Insight: Focuses on the "thinking process" in the endgame rather than just memorizing theoretical positions. 8. 7 Keys to Victory Focus: Universal principles that apply to every game.
Key Insight: A condensed guide to the seven most important concepts used by top players to win consistently. 9. Winning the Middlegame Focus: Advanced middlegame themes and attacking play.
Key Insight: Bridges the gap between opening preparation and endgame execution. New & Updated Course Offerings
As of early 2026, GM Smirnov has released several "new" courses and updated bundles to reflect modern engine play and student needs:
Level Up Your Chess (2025/2026): Designed for advanced beginners and intermediate players to break through plateaus. 3 Steps to 2000 Elo:
A roadmap specifically for players aiming for the 1st category/Expert level. The Secrets of Strong Players
(Updated): Outlines 9 critical differences between amateur and master level players with a 120-page comprehensive eBook.
Super Pack Bundle: A massive collection (often includes 17–30 courses) currently offered at significant discounts on TheChessWorld and Remote Chess Academy.
💡 Key Takeaway: Smirnov’s courses prioritize psychology and thinking systems over rote memorization. His method is particularly effective for "lazy" or busy players who want high-impact principles instead of deep theory. GM Igor Smirnov , a Grandmaster and psychologist,
If you tell me your current rating (e.g., 1200, 1800) or which part of your game is weakest: I can recommend the specific order to study these courses.
I can find current pricing or discounts for individual courses. I can pull up sample lesson plans for a specific course. ALL Chess Courses by GM Igor Smirnov - TheChessWorld
GM Igor Smirnov , the founder of the Remote Chess Academy (RCA)
, offers a wide range of chess courses designed around his unique "thinking system". While his total library includes over 30 courses, he often groups his "New" or core flagship courses into specific bundles for rapid improvement. TheChessWorld The "New" Flagship Course: Level Up Your Chess
One of the most recent and comprehensive additions to his catalog is Level Up Your Chess
(released/updated around 2025). It is marketed as a complete system where each individual section is enough to raise your level. Remote Chess Academy Target Audience : Advanced beginners to intermediate players. Key Sections
: Blunder prevention, opening principles, middlegame strategy, endgame techniques, and a structured study plan. Remote Chess Academy The "Core 9" Recommended Courses Based on Smirnov's recommended order of study
and popular "Super Pack" bundles, these nine courses form the essential foundation for mastering his system: chess-teacher.net GM Igor Smirnov's Super Pack - Remote Chess Academy
GM Igor Smirnov , founder of the Remote Chess Academy, offers an extensive collection of over 30 chess courses. While "all 9 courses" may refer to specific curated bundles, his core training system is most notably represented by his comprehensive Super Pack and Expert Bundle. Core Comprehensive Course Sets
Igor Smirnov’s training is built on a "system of thinking" designed to help players reach 2000+ ELO. Key courses often highlighted in his primary collections include:
The Grandmaster's Secrets: Focuses on the fundamental thinking processes used by GMs. Here is the definitive list of the nine
The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding: Teaches deep strategic concepts beyond basic tactics.
Calculate Till Mate: A dedicated course for improving calculation and visualization speed.
7 Keys to Victory: Outlines critical rules for winning positions in every game.
Winning the Middlegame: Strategies for navigating the most complex part of the game.
Self-Taught Grandmaster: A guide for players looking to train effectively without a personal coach.
The Grandmaster’s Opening Lab (1.0 & 2.0): Comprehensive opening preparation and general principles.
Attack and Win: Tactics and strategies for aggressive, offensive play.
How to Beat Stronger Opponents: Psychology and technique for facing higher-rated players. New and Featured Offerings (2025–2026)
As of early 2026, GM Smirnov continues to release updated content through his Remote Chess Academy YouTube and web store: ALL Chess Courses by GM Igor Smirnov - TheChessWorld.com
Most people know "back rank mate" and "fork." Smirnov goes deeper into Thematic Tactics.
(Note: Sometimes the 9th slot varies based on the package release, but it is often a practical application course or a specialized middlegame topic).
Here is the definitive list of the nine pillars of the Smirnov curriculum. They are categorized into Strategy, Tactics, Openings, and The Mental Game.