But the real breakthrough came with course six: The Technique of Positional Play .
For years, amateur chess players have been trapped in a frustrating cycle: memorizing openings they don’t understand, losing won endgames, and freezing under time pressure. They buy random courses, watch hours of content, yet their rating remains stagnant.
Before diving into specific courses, it is crucial to understand the teaching philosophy that unifies all 9 modules. Unlike many trainers who focus on memorizing opening lines or specific tactical patterns, Smirnov focuses on and thinking processes . gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses new
Another advantage is accessibility: Smirnov’s teaching style is pragmatic, using plain language and clear examples to translate abstract principles into immediately usable techniques. The recommended opening repertoires reduce the cognitive load for players who struggle to memorize vast opening theory, while the endgame and tactics components address high-impact areas that often yield quick rating improvements.
Smirnov’s courses are built around a cohesive —the same system he used to become a Grandmaster. This approach emphasizes: But the real breakthrough came with course six:
Igor said: “Most club players know how to win. They don’t know how to not lose.”
: Focuses on long-term strategy and the hidden rules of positional play that often baffle club players. Before diving into specific courses, it is crucial
: A "meta-course" that teaches you how to train effectively on your own, including the psychological aspects of chess improvement.
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.
This course aims to solve the daunting task of opening preparation.
When you search for , you are looking for a closed ecosystem that replaces Chessable, YouTube, and your local library. Let’s see if it holds up.