This course simplifies essential positional concepts that are rarely explained clearly in chess literature. It is part of the RCA Beginners Pack, yet even advanced-level players have found it invaluable. Topics include pawn structures, piece activity, outposts, and long-term planning.
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 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
A dedicated course for improving calculation and visualization speed. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
Most amateur players focus on individual moves rather than universal concepts. This foundational course breaks down the exact mental checklist a Grandmaster runs through before touching a piece. You will learn how to quickly isolate your opponent’s weaknesses and eliminate blunders entirely. 2. The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding
Round three: a 2100 expert. The game went to a rook endgame a pawn down. Old Leo would have resigned. New Leo remembered Endgame Labyrinth : “A pawn down is not losing. A pawn down with a passive rook is losing.” He activated his rook, created a counter-threat, and forced a threefold repetition. A draw against 2100 felt like a win. GM Igor Smirnov ’s transition from a competitive
A self-sufficient, confident, and structured approach to learning. 8. Defending Champion
Most club players get stuck because they suffer from "fragmented knowledge". They watch disparate videos, solve random puzzles, and fall apart during real, high-pressure games. GM Smirnov's courses focus strictly on . Most amateur players focus on individual moves rather
A practical guide to the endgame that focuses not on memorizing every theoretical position, but on understanding the essential principles needed to win or draw games in the final phase. 8. How to Beat Stronger Opponents
: “I became the ACO World Champion after learning the system taught by Igor.”
This course reveals the "secret sauce" of strong players: deep positional and strategic understanding. It moves beyond tactics and memorization to explain the most important strategic rules that allow a player to "just know" the right move in any position.
. However, the Super Pack is offered at a fraction of that cost (often priced around $497 during promotional periods).