I've read they're a little overpriced, but I've also read they're the greatest thing since sliced bread. Good luck scoring one for free though. There is some kind of referral program for customers so I don't necessarily trust the reviews. Anyway, these are worth the money, and more! (free 
)
http://www.chess.com/blog/webmaster/free-chess-mentor-courses
If the material is new, you may need to review it a few times to be sure it sticks. Good luck with your chess!
I've seen one of them. It was ok but not that great. There are lots of free chess videos on YouTube that are just as good. Recently I went over Dan Heisman's videos on ICC. To watch these you have to subscribe to ICC but doing so is still not as expensive as buying Smirnov's videos or his vodka!
Smirnov is an excellent thinker and seems like he would be a great coach. One of the advantages of his courses is his unorthodox style of playing and teaching. He lends new life to thinking about and understanding the game and I applaud him for making such well-designed courses which I believe are worth the price.
I do not believe Smirnov's courses are worth the price. You are on the right track when you mention "thinking" and that's why I recommend Heisman's videos to you. In his ICC videos Heisman goes over the correct thinking method time and again and I find that method to be excellent for intermediate players. And a membership in ICC is far less expensive than the cost of even one of Smirnov's courses. You may yourself be a rich man for whom price is no object. The OP indicates that he cannot afford the high price of these videos. As I said, there are plenty of good alternatives such as the free YouTube videos or Heisman's videos. I leave it up to you to decide. As for his vodka, it is excellent!
Hello. does anyone own one of these? ive heard that they are good. if anyone owns them could anyone give me a copy of them? (copy the video or rar file) and send it to me because i cannot really afford them and you cannot use paypal in our country. thanks.