By James Peterson, Chess Strategy Analyst
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 Igor Smirnov ALL 9 Chess Courses free
However, a recurring whisper in chess forums, Reddit threads, and Telegram groups is the search for: By James Peterson, Chess Strategy Analyst Is there
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. Before hunting for free files, you must understand
By investing 50 hours into his free YouTube content, you can replicate the knowledge of the 9 courses, even if you don't own the high-resolution videos or PDF workbooks. If you are dead-set on the actual structured courses, here is the only legitimate way to get them at near-zero cost:
| | 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. |
So, the search for is essentially a search for nearly $1,000 worth of private intellectual property. Part 2: The Truth About "Free" Grandmaster Courses The Short Answer No, GM Igor Smirnov does not officially give away all 9 courses for free permanently. He is a professional educator selling a high-value product. The "Almost Free" Reality However, there are several legal ways to access his content for significantly reduced cost or temporarily free that fuel these search queries: