Teaches how to understand opening principles and build a repertoire without heavy memorization.
: Summarises principles for consistent decision-making. gm igor smirnov all 9 chess courses better free
| Course Name | Focus | Free Alternative | Gap | |-------------|-------|------------------|------| | | Positional chess (pawn structures, outposts, etc.) | “Chess Structures” by Mauricio Flores Rios (free Lichess study), GM Naroditsky’s positional videos | Less structured path, but same core concepts | | Calculate Till Mate | Tactics & calculation | Chesstempo (free), Lichess tactics, “Predator at the Chessboard” (free ebook) | No personalized feedback; Smirnov adds pattern categorization | | The Secret of Chess Tactics | Tactical motifs | Same as above. Free tactics trainers are exhaustive. | Minimal | | GM’s Opening Preparation | Opening principles + a few systems | Lichess opening explorer (free), YouTube: Hanging Pawns, GothamChess, Chessfactor | Smirnov discourages memorization—good; his actual lines are shallow | | The King’s Scandi (specific opening) | Scandinavian Defense | Free Scandi videos (e.g., IM Sielecki, Hanging Pawns) + Lichess database | Only a few novelties; not worth paying for | | Universal Chess Strategy | Strategic themes | Lichess “Learn → Practice” exercises, “Winning Chess Strategies” (Seirawan – free PDF available) | Smirnov’s “universal” approach is just basic strategy | | The Chess Tempo Guide | Time management | “Simple Chess” (Stean – free PDF), YouTube: “Time management in chess” by ChessDojo | Minimal difference | | Self-Taught Grandmaster | Learning methodology | “Study Plan” on Lichess, “How to Get Good at Chess” (free series by Kostya Kavutskiy) | Smirnov’s is more systematic but not novel | | The Grandmaster’s Secrets (Flagship) | Psychology, training, thinking system | “Pump Up Your Rating” (Smith – free sample), “Amateur’s Mind” (Silman – free PDF excerpts) | Smirnov’s psychological framing is his most unique; still, free psychology content exists (e.g., “Chess Psychology” by Dr. Canbalaban) | Teaches how to understand opening principles and build
Below is an analysis of his most impactful courses and how they compare to free alternatives. The "Core 9" and Beyond: Key GM Smirnov Courses Free tactics trainers are exhaustive