Shopping from the UK? Check out our UK Door-to-Door Program.
Focusing purely on visualization, this course is unique because it takes positions from Smirnov’s own tournament games where he calculated 15+ moves deep.
When you purchase a course (such as his famous "The Grandmaster's Secrets" or "The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding"), you are typically buying a digital package.
What you get:
The Platform Interface: Smirnov uses a custom course viewer (Remote Chess Academy) if you choose the streaming option, but the download option gives you standalone video files.
Before diving into specific courses, it is vital to understand the Smirnov pedagogy. Unlike many GMs who simply show engine lines, Smirnov focuses on three pillars:
This is why users seek an "extra quality download" —the audio, video, and supplementary PGN databases are essential to absorbing these nuances.
GM Igor Smirnov’s courses are not for everyone. If you are a beginner (Under 1000 Elo), they may be too abstract. If you are a GM (2500+), you likely know these concepts intuitively. Gm Igor Smirnov Chess Courses Extra Quality Download
However, for the serious club player (1400–2000 Elo), these courses are a goldmine. The "Extra Quality" downloads provide a permanent library of high-level instruction that bridges the gap between knowing "how to move pieces" and knowing "how to play chess." If you can look past the aggressive marketing, the actual product is world-class.
Recommendation: Start with "The Grandmaster's Positional Understanding" to see if his teaching style clicks with you.
GM Igor Smirnov , a Grandmaster and founder of the Remote Chess Academy (RCA) , is known for a unique "system of thinking"
that blends classical strategy with psychology-based decision-making. His courses are designed to help players break through plateaus and reach expert-level ratings of 2000 ELO and beyond. The specific phrase " Extra Quality Download
" often appears in the context of third-party sites offering pirated or bundled versions of his premium material. For the best learning experience, security, and access to student support, it is recommended to use official sources like Remote Chess Academy TheChessWorld Core Training Courses
Igor Smirnov’s curriculum covers every phase of the game, with several standout courses frequently recommended by students: Igor Smirnov's Courses worth giving a try? - Chess Forums Focusing purely on visualization, this course is unique
So, even if you don't want to pay for courses, you can watch videos to get good ideas on general concepts. LieutenantFrankColumbo. Igor Smirnov's "GM's Secrets" - Chess Forums
Note: This article is written for informational and educational purposes. It discusses the "extra quality" of the content (referring to high production value) and warns against piracy. It directs users toward legal acquisition methods, such as the official Chess Grandmaster Academy.
GM Smirnov does not teach like a standard chess streamer. He is not merely showing you "brilliant moves"; he is teaching you how to think.
1. The Psychological Approach This is Smirnov’s USP. While other courses teach opening lines or endgame theory, Smirnov focuses on the thinking process. He identifies that most amateurs lose not because they don't know a specific line, but because they use the wrong mental algorithm.
2. Clarity of Explanation Smirnov has a gift for simplification. He uses analogies that stick. He doesn't bog you down in computer engine evaluations (e.g., "Stockfish says this is +0.3"). Instead, he explains the human logic behind a move. He explains why a Grandmaster makes a move, often debunking standard "rules of thumb" that amateurs misapply.
3. Practical Orientation The courses are designed for tournament play. He emphasizes practical chances. For example, in his calculation courses, he teaches how to detect blunders quickly—a vital skill for blitz and rapid play. The Platform Interface: Smirnov uses a custom course
Grandmaster Igor Smirnov is a polarizing figure in the online chess world. His marketing is aggressive, his courses are expensive, and his website design feels stuck in 2010. However, behind the sales funnels lies some of the most effective instructional content for the improving amateur.
This review focuses on the "Extra Quality Download" aspect of his courses—how the content is delivered, the production value, and whether the substance justifies the price tag.
A historical deep-dive combined with practical lessons from Botvinnik, Tal, and Karpov.
GM Smirnov sells his content through the Remote Chess Academy (RCA) . When you purchase directly, you receive:
Pricing note: While a single course might cost $97–$197, RCA frequently offers bundles (e.g., the "Grandmaster Package" for $347). This is significantly cheaper than two private coaching hours.