Master the Board: Reviewing the Latest 9 Chess Courses from GM Igor Smirnov
Whether you are hitting a plateau or just starting your journey to a 2000+ ELO, Grandmaster Igor Smirnov Remote Chess Academy (RCA)
remain the gold standard for structured chess improvement. With his background in psychology, Smirnov focuses on the thinking process rather than just memorizing endless opening lines. Recently, the RCA has expanded its library with 9 specialized courses
designed to tackle modern chess challenges in 2026 and beyond. Here is a breakdown of the latest training modules and how they can transform your game. The Strategy & Thinking Pillars Chess Visualization Training [Simple Exercises]
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.
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. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
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.
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 has authored significantly more than nine courses throughout his career, often bundled into "Super Packs" or libraries containing between 17 and 30 courses.
The reference to "All 9 Chess Courses" often appears in third-party bundle listings or older collections rather than the official updated Remote Chess Academy Super Pack. Essential Chess Courses by GM Igor Smirnov
Smirnov typically recommends starting with courses that build a "thinking system" rather than just memorizing theory. The following are frequently cited as the core pillars of his curriculum: Master the Board: Reviewing the Latest 9 Chess
The Grandmaster's Secrets: Focuses on the fundamental principles and thinking methods used by top players.
The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding: Explains the core of positional chess and how to evaluate positions.
Calculate Till Mate: Provides a systematic approach to calculation and finding tactical shots.
The Grandmaster's Opening Laboratory: Covers opening principles and building a solid repertoire.
An Endgame Expert: Simplifies complex endgame scenarios into actionable rules.
Self-Taught Grandmaster: A comprehensive training program designed to help players reach the GM level.
How to Beat Stronger Opponents: Strategic advice for playing against higher-rated players.
Your Winning Plan: Focuses specifically on middlegame planning and strategy.
7 Keys to Victory: A concise course outlining the most important rules for winning chess games. Newer and Specialized Courses
Recent additions often focus on specific rating milestones or modern positional concepts:
Level Up Your Chess: Aimed at breaking plateaus for advanced beginners and intermediate players.
3 Steps to 2000 ELO: A roadmap designed to bridge the gap to expert-level play.
Top 25 Middlegame Concepts: A compilation of effective strategic plans from real games. ALL Chess Courses by GM Igor Smirnov - TheChessWorld
A Promoted Pawn – My Chess Journey – GM Smirnov. How to Beat Stronger Opponents – GM Smirnov. Winning the Middlegame – GM Smirnov. TheChessWorld GM Igor Smirnov's Super Pack - Remote Chess Academy
GM Igor Smirnov ’s transition from a competitive player to a world-renowned coach has fundamentally changed how thousands of amateurs approach the game. His pedagogical philosophy centers on the "Thinking System," moving away from the memorization of endless variations toward a logical, rule-based algorithm for making every move. The Core Curriculum: Smirnov’s Signature Courses Focus: Handling stress, time trouble, and the psychological
While Smirnov’s Remote Chess Academy (RCA) library now contains dozens of specialized modules, his foundational "Super Pack" is often characterized by these nine essential pillars of improvement:
The Grandmaster's Secrets: Smirnov's entry point, which introduces the core thinking process and debunks common training myths that cause players to plateau.
The Grandmaster's Opening Laboratory (1 & 2): Instead of rote memorization, these courses teach the underlying principles of the opening phase and provide a solid, professional repertoire.
Your Winning Plan: 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.
Calculate Till Mate: Addresses the common "tactical blindness" by providing a systematic method for calculating long, forcing variations without making errors.
An Endgame Expert: Simplifies the most complex phase of the game into high-level rules, ensuring players can convert winning advantages or save theoretical draws.
The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding: A deep dive into strategy, teaching the "positional secrets" that allow masters to improve their position move by move without needing direct tactical threats.
Self-Taught Grandmaster: A comprehensive training manual on how to study independently, providing a structured curriculum for those without a personal coach.
How to Beat Titled Players: Specifically designed for intermediate players (1600-2000 Elo) looking to bridge the gap and defeat masters by exploiting psychological and strategic vulnerabilities. Why Smirnov's Approach is Different
The chess training ecosystem created by GM Igor Smirnov , largely housed within his Remote Chess Academy (RCA)
, focuses on a psychology-based "system of thinking" rather than pure memorization. While Smirnov has produced dozens of courses, his core curriculum is often represented by a "Super Pack" of flagship titles that cover every phase of the game. The Core System: Defining the Essential Courses
Smirnov’s methodology is built on the idea that chess is about thought process
. Among his vast library, these nine courses are frequently highlighted as the backbone of his training system:
Distinct from The GM’s Secret, this course focuses on the psychological pressure of the game.
Often considered the starting point, this course addresses the most fundamental question: How do Grandmasters think?
Pros: