In the new suite of 9 courses, three are considered the absolute bedrock. Without these, the other six will not work.
GM Smirnov has structured the material not by rating alone, but by area of weakness. Here is the complete set:
This course aims to solve the daunting task of opening preparation.
Format: 5 hours | Off-board techniques The Hook: Why do you play like a GM at home but a beginner in tournaments?
This is the most unique course in the GM Igor Smirnov all 9 chess courses new ecosystem. It covers:
This is the only course that has zero board visuals—it is entirely audio and slideshow. Do not skip it. It explains why you lose winning positions.
If you are rated between 800 and 1900 (online or OTB), GM Igor Smirnov’s All 9 Courses is arguably the most efficient all-in-one chess library on the market. It does not teach you to play like Magnus Carlsen; it teaches you to stop playing like a beginner.
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.
Final Rating: 4.7/5 Best for the self-motivated club player who is tired of losing to the same mistakes.
Disclaimer: Always check the official Remote Chess Academy website for current pricing and availability, as bundle offers change seasonally.
GM Igor Smirnov , a Grandmaster and psychologist, offers a comprehensive library of chess courses through his Remote Chess Academy
. While his total collection now exceeds 30 courses, his foundational "original" set often refers to a core group of 9–10 highly-rated volumes designed to take players from beginner levels to expert status. TheChessWorld The Core "Original 9" Chess Courses
Historically, these nine courses formed the backbone of Smirnov’s training system, focusing on a Grandmaster's thinking process rather than just memorizing variations.
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.
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
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov is a world-renowned chess coach and the founder of the Remote Chess Academy. His teaching philosophy focuses on understanding the underlying principles of the game rather than memorizing endless lines of theory. For players looking to make a serious jump in their Elo rating, Smirnov’s structured approach provides a clear roadmap from beginner to master level.
This guide explores the core components of the GM Igor Smirnov 9-course collection, detailing how each program targets a specific pillar of chess mastery. 1. The Grandmaster's Secrets
This is the foundational course of the entire Remote Chess Academy system. Smirnov breaks down the thinking process used by top-tier players. Instead of looking at individual moves, you learn how to identify the most important features of a position. Key Focus: Professional thinking algorithms.
Best For: Players who feel stuck and don't know how to find a plan. 2. The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding
Chess isn't always about tactical fireworks; often, it’s about slow, methodical improvement of your pieces. This course explains the "hidden" rules of strategy that grandmasters use to outplay opponents in quiet positions. Key Focus: Maneuvering and piece coordination. Best For: Improving long-term strategic planning. 3. The Grandmaster's Openings Laboratory
Memorizing openings is a trap for many amateurs. Smirnov teaches you how to study openings efficiently by focusing on the typical plans and pawn structures that arise from your chosen repertoire. Key Focus: Opening principles and preparation efficiency.
Best For: Building a reliable and aggressive opening repertoire. 4. How to Beat Titled Players
Playing against a higher-rated opponent can be psychologically taxing. This course provides a blueprint for neutralizing the advantages of stronger players and exploiting their common overconfidence.
Key Focus: Psychological warfare and solid defensive techniques. Best For: Tournament players looking to score upsets. 5. Your Winning Plan
One of the most common questions in chess is "What do I do now?" This course provides a concrete system for creating a plan in any middle-game position, ensuring you always have a goal to work toward. Key Focus: Middle-game planning. Best For: Eliminating aimless piece shuffling. 6. Anish Giri's Opening Laboratory In the new suite of 9 courses, three
While Smirnov provides the system, this specific collaboration looks at elite-level opening preparation. It bridges the gap between club-level play and the rigorous standards of modern Grandmasters. Key Focus: High-level opening analysis. Best For: Advanced players seeking a competitive edge. 7. Calculate Till Mate
Calculation is the engine of chess. Smirnov teaches a disciplined method for calculating variations without getting lost in the "trees" of the position. Key Focus: Tactical vision and calculation accuracy.
Best For: Reducing blunders and finishing off winning positions. 8. Endgame Expert
Many games are lost in the final phase due to a lack of fundamental knowledge. This course covers the essential theoretical endgames and, more importantly, the strategic themes that apply to all endgames. Key Focus: Transitioning to and winning the endgame.
Best For: Saving draws and converting small advantages into wins. 9. Self-Taught Grandmaster
The final piece of the puzzle is learning how to train yourself. Smirnov outlines the exact training regime you need to follow to continue improving long after you’ve finished his courses. Key Focus: Training methodology and efficiency.
Best For: Dedicated students who want to manage their own progress. 🚀 Mastering the System
Igor Smirnov’s courses are designed to be studied sequentially. By integrating tactical sharpness with deep positional understanding, these 9 courses provide a holistic education that covers every phase of the game.
To help you find the right starting point, could you tell me: What is your current Elo rating? Do you struggle more with tactics or long-term strategy?
What is your primary goal (e.g., winning local tournaments, reaching 2000 Elo online)?
The GM Igor Smirnov "All 9 Chess Courses" bundle refers to a specific core curriculum curated from his extensive library at the Remote Chess Academy (RCA). This collection provides a comprehensive system for progressing from amateur to master level, focusing on Smirnov's unique psychological and strategic thinking methods. Overview of the 9 Core Courses
These courses form the backbone of Smirnov's training system, designed to replace traditional, often ineffective, rote memorization with a clear "Thinking System".
The Grandmaster's Secrets: Focuses on the fundamental thinking process and identifying the "correct" way to approach any position.
The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding: Teaches advanced strategic concepts and how to evaluate positions like a pro.
Calculate Till Mate: A intensive course dedicated to sharpening tactical vision and calculation accuracy.
7 Keys to Victory: Outlines the seven most critical principles for winning games at any level.
The Grandmaster's Opening Laboratory: Provides a complete, professional opening repertoire that is easy to learn and implement.
Winning the Middlegame: Focuses on planning and executing complex strategies once the opening phase is over.
How to Beat Stronger Opponents: A psychological and tactical guide on handling higher-rated players.
An Endgame Expert: Covers essential endgame techniques and theoretical positions every player must know.
Self-Taught Grandmaster: Shares Smirnov's personal study methods and how to train effectively without a dedicated coach. Key Features for 2026 ALL Chess Courses by GM Igor Smirnov - TheChessWorld
You're referring to the chess courses by Grandmaster Igor Smirnov!
Igor Smirnov is a renowned chess Grandmaster and a well-known chess coach. He has created a comprehensive series of chess courses, which cover various aspects of the game. Here is a report on his 9 chess courses: This is the only course that has zero
Course 1: The Grandmaster's Opening Preparation In this course, Smirnov focuses on the opening principles and preparation. He shares his insights on how to choose the right opening, understand the strategic and tactical ideas, and prepare for the middlegame.
Course 2: Basic Opening Principles Smirnov explains the fundamental principles of the opening, including control of the center, piece development, and pawn structure. He provides examples and analysis to help students understand these concepts.
Course 3: Opening Fundamentals - Pawn Structures This course delves deeper into pawn structures, which are essential in understanding the opening and middlegame. Smirnov discusses various pawn chains, pawn islands, and other structures, providing guidance on how to handle them.
Course 4: The Art of Middlegame Play In this course, Smirnov shares his expertise on middlegame strategies and tactics. He covers topics like attacking and defending techniques, maneuvering, and prophylactic thinking.
Course 5: Endgame Fundamentals Smirnov's endgame course covers the basic principles of endgame play, including king and pawn versus king and pawn structures, opposition, and triangulation. He provides guidance on how to convert advantages into wins.
Course 6: Basic Tactics This course focuses on basic tactics, including pins, forks, skewers, and other tactical motifs. Smirnov provides numerous examples and exercises to help students improve their tactical skills.
Course 7: Advanced Tactics In this course, Smirnov explores more advanced tactical concepts, such as combinations of tactics, defensive tactics, and tactical motifs in different pawn structures.
Course 8: How to Analyze Your Games Smirnov shares his approach to analyzing games, including how to identify mistakes, understand strategic and tactical ideas, and create a plan for improvement.
Course 9: The Grandmaster's Mindset In this final course, Smirnov discusses the mental aspects of chess, including psychology, motivation, and concentration. He provides guidance on how to develop a winning mindset and overcome obstacles.
Overall, Igor Smirnov's 9 chess courses offer a comprehensive and structured approach to improving one's chess skills. By studying these courses, chess players can gain a deeper understanding of the game, enhance their strategic and tactical skills, and improve their overall performance.
Introduction
Course 1: Endgame Course - Essential Endgames for Club Players
Course 2: How to Reassess Your Chess - Improve Your Chess with Igor Smirnov
Course 3: Chess Fundamentals - Mastering the Basics
Course 4: Opening Course - Mastering Popular Openings
Course 5: Middlegame Course - Strategies and Tactics
Course 6: Positional Chess - Mastering Strategic Play
Course 7: Tactical Chess - Mastering Tactics and Combinations
Course 8: Advanced Chess Tactics - Mastering Complex Combinations
Course 9: Chess Mastery - Achieving Chess Excellence
Conclusion
Bonus Materials
Distinct from The GM’s Secret, this course focuses on the psychological pressure of the game.
Before examining the courses, it’s crucial to understand Smirnov’s core thesis: Most amateurs lose because of fundamental misunderstandings, not a lack of tactics. He focuses heavily on the “three universal principles” (development, center, safety) and the concept of “thinking inside the box” —a method to prune bad candidate moves instantly. These nine courses are designed to layer this philosophy from opening to endgame.
Endgames are often where points are won or lost, yet they are the least studied phase.