The market for chess education is saturated with fragmented content: opening databases, tactical puzzles, and game collections. GM Igor Smirnov (Ukraine) distinguished himself by offering a holistic, system-based approach rather than a topical one. His "All 9 Courses" bundle (often marketed as the ultimate self-training system) claims to provide a complete chess education. This paper deconstructs the curriculum into its constituent parts to evaluate its efficacy for the improving player.
GM Igor Smirnov’s courses are not “better than free” in terms of raw information. They are better for convenience if you value time over money. A motivated player with internet access can replicate >80% of his content using:
Final verdict: The “all 9 courses” bundle is not worth purchasing for any player under 2000. At best, buy one course on sale ($30–$50) if you struggle with motivation. Otherwise, the free chess internet already contains all of Smirnov’s insights—just without a slick sales funnel.
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The request "gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free" suggests a search for high-quality, possibly free chess courses taught by Grandmaster (GM) Igor Smirnov. This essay will explore the benefits and implications of accessing comprehensive chess courses taught by a renowned chess expert like GM Smirnov.
Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge the significance of GM Igor Smirnov in the chess community. As a Grandmaster, Smirnov has achieved a high level of proficiency in chess, earning him the right to provide expert guidance to players of all levels. His courses likely cover a wide range of topics, from basic strategies and tactics to more advanced concepts such as openings, middlegame strategies, and endgames.
The appeal of accessing "all 9 chess courses" suggests a desire for a comprehensive learning experience. Typically, chess courses are structured to gradually build a player's skills, starting from understanding the basics of chess to mastering complex strategies. Having access to a complete series of courses taught by the same instructor ensures a cohesive learning experience, where each lesson builds upon the previous ones.
The mention of "better free" highlights a crucial aspect of the request: accessibility. High-quality chess instruction can sometimes come at a significant cost, making it inaccessible to many enthusiasts. The demand for free courses indicates a desire for equitable access to learning resources, suggesting that financial constraints should not be a barrier to improving one's chess skills.
There are several implications and potential benefits of making comprehensive chess courses available for free:
However, it's also important to consider the challenges and potential drawbacks:
In conclusion, the request for GM Igor Smirnov's all 9 chess courses for free underscores a broader desire for accessible, high-quality chess education. While there are challenges associated with providing free educational resources, the potential benefits in terms of community engagement, democratization of education, and promotion of cognitive skills make it a worthwhile endeavor.
GM Igor Smirnov , founder of the Remote Chess Academy , offers a vast library of over 30 courses. While his premium courses are paid, he provides several free resources to help players build a "Grandmaster thinking system" without the upfront cost. Top 9 Course "Features" (Premium vs. Free) Igor Smirnov's training is unique because it focuses on psychology calculation algorithms rather than just memorizing opening lines. The Grandmaster's Secrets
: His flagship course, teaching the fundamental thinking process used by GMs to find the best moves. The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free
: Focuses on deep strategic planning and how to read the board like a professional. Calculate Till Mate
: A comprehensive system for improving calculation and visualization abilities. The Grandmaster's Opening Lab
: A guide to building a powerful, GM-level opening repertoire effectively. 7 Keys to Victory
: Identifies 7 critical rules that determine the outcome of most chess games. Winning the Middlegame
: Provides an integrated system for planning and executing attacks in the middle of the game. An Endgame Expert
: Simplifies complex endgame theory into practical, actionable rules. Self-Taught Grandmaster
: Teaches you how to train yourself effectively without an expensive personal coach. How to Beat Stronger Opponents
: Specifically designed for club players to overcome higher-rated opponents using psychological and tactical "tricks". Better "Free" Alternatives & Resources GM Igor Smirnov's Super Pack - Remote Chess Academy
In the dim glow of a single monitor, Leo, a 1400-rated chess player, clicked "Buy Now" on the 9th course from GM Igor Smirnov. His credit card whimpered. His bookshelf already groaned under The Secret of Grandmaster Calculation, The Universal Opening System, and The Champion’s Mindset. But this one—Endgame Alchemy—was the last piece.
He had spent $847 chasing the phantom of a 2000 rating. Yet here he was, still hanging forks, still losing to the London System, still blundering back-rank mates.
"Tonight," Leo whispered, "I study all nine."
He brewed coffee, opened Course #1 (Positional Domination), and began. Three hours later, his eyes crossed. The principles blurred: "Activate your worst piece… restrict the opponent’s knight… trade bad bishops…" He knew the rules. He just couldn’t feel them. The market for chess education is saturated with
Frustrated, Leo slammed the laptop shut. The screen flickered—and stayed on. Static crawled across the display like digital frost. Then, a face formed. Not Igor Smirnov’s polished thumbnail face, but a younger, sharper version: a grandmaster in a hoodie, sipping tea.
"Leo," said the ghost of GM Igor Smirnov—or something wearing his face. "You bought all nine courses."
"I… yes."
"Good. Now I’ll give you what’s better than all nine. For free."
Leo’s heart hammered. "Better than nine GM courses? Free?"
The ghost grinned. "The problem isn’t knowledge. You have more openings than Magnus. The problem is noise. You memorize variations but don’t recognize a single human mistake over the board. Watch."
The screen split into nine windows—each showing a key moment from each course. Course #3: Attacking the King. Course #7: Beating Lower-Rated Players. Course #9: Clutch Tactics. They swirled together into a single, ugly position: a middlegame from Leo’s last loss.
"You hung your rook on move 18," the ghost said. "But you didn't see it because you were trying to recall a 'grandmaster idea' from Course #5. You ignored the free lesson: look at your opponent’s last move with hate."
The ghost snapped his fingers. The nine courses collapsed into three short sentences, burning into the screen:
"That’s it?" Leo asked. "That’s the 'better than nine courses'?"
"That’s the filter," the ghost said. "The 2000-rated player doesn’t know more than you. He just ignores 80% of the fancy junk and follows those three rules with religious fear."
The screen went black. Leo rebooted. All nine courses were still there, untouched. But now, every time he opened one, a watermark appeared in the corner: "Better free lesson: what’s the direct threat?" Final verdict : The “all 9 courses” bundle
Leo stopped binge-watching courses. He started playing slower. He asked one question per move: "If I do nothing, what kills me?" Within two months, he hit 1850. He never bought another course.
Years later, a student asked him, "Should I buy all nine GM Igor Smirnov courses?"
Leo smiled. "Buy one. Maybe two. But the real course? It’s free. And it fits on a sticky note."
He wrote:
Spot threats. Don’t hang pieces. Ignore noise.
And under it, in tiny letters: "That’s the only grandmaster secret."
Abstract This paper analyzes the chess training methodology developed by Grandmaster Igor Smirnov, founder of the Remote Chess Academy. It examines the pedagogical structure of his flagship "All 9 Courses" bundle, contrasting it with traditional chess learning methods. The analysis focuses on Smirnov’s core concepts: the "System of Thinking," the psychological approach to calculation, and the shift from memorization to pattern recognition.
GM Igor Smirnov’s courses offer structured, psychologically oriented chess training but are not unique in raw information. Free resources (YouTube, Lichess studies, Chessable sample chapters, opening databases) can replicate 60–80% of the core material with self-discipline. Smirnov’s main value lies in curation, time-saving, and mindset frameworks—not secret “GM knowledge.” For players under 1800 Elo, free resources are likely sufficient. Above 2000, his tactical/positional courses may be worth selective purchase.
9. Winning Chess Strategy (or "Advanced Course")
Before reviewing the courses, we must address the elephant in the room. Free chess content (YouTube, Twitch, forums) suffers from three fatal flaws:
GM Igor Smirnov’s methodology flips this. He teaches universal principles that work from 800 to 2000 ELO.
1. The Grandmaster’s Secrets
2. The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding
3. The Grandmaster’s Opening Laboratory