In the modern era of chess improvement, the name stands as a colossus. A Ukrainian Grandmaster and the founder of the famous online chess academy Remote Chess Academy (RCA), Smirnov has revolutionized how intermediate players think about the game. His philosophy—focusing on "universal principles" rather than rote memorization of opening lines—has helped hundreds of thousands of students break through rating plateaus.
Searching for these via torrents or Telegram channels puts your digital security at risk for a minor financial gain. Yes, you should look for free resources. No, you should not look for stolen courses. GM Igor Smirnov ALL 9 Chess Courses free
Smirnov frequently gives away Course #1 (The Grandmaster’s Positional Understanding) for free as a PDF or video series to email subscribers. This is a lead magnet. He hopes you love it and buy the other eight. In the modern era of chess improvement, the
By James Peterson, Chess Strategy Analyst Searching for these via torrents or Telegram channels
Is there a legitimate way to access his entire library of nine flagship courses without paying the premium subscription? Is this a hoax, a limited-time promotion, or a misunderstood free trial? This in-depth article dissects exactly what those nine courses are, the true cost of grandmaster education, and the legal (and risky) paths to accessing this content. Before hunting for free files, you must understand the value of the target. GM Smirnov is not just a 2500+ FIDE-rated player; he is a dedicated chess coach. He famously argues that club players lose not because they lack talent, but because they focus on the wrong things (like memorizing 20 moves of the Italian Game).
GM Smirnov has uploaded hundreds of hours of content to the Remote Chess Academy YouTube channel. While not the full 9 structured courses, many of the core principles from courses like Positional Understanding and Tactics are explained in his 15-minute video lessons. You can build 70% of the knowledge for free—just without the workbooks and PGNs.
| | Free Alternative (Legit) | | :--- | :--- | | Positional Understanding | Watch the "RCA Positional Play" playlist on YouTube (17 videos). | | Tactics | Use Chess.com's free puzzles + Smirnov’s "Tactics Explained" shorts. | | Opening (White) | Study the "London System" and "King's Gambit" videos on the RCA channel. | | Opening (Black) | Search "Smirnov Caro-Kann" on YouTube. He uploaded a 2-hour free tutorial. | | Endgames | Access the free "Endgame Strategy" articles on the RCA blog. |