International Chess School

Has anyone here tried/know anyone that has tried the International Chess School (http://www.chessmasterschool.com/)?

It seems like it might be useful but most of the testimonials were from people who had just signed up and they pretty much said "This looks like it will be useful!" There were a few from people who were 5+ months into the course but you never know if they are real or not. Any opinions?

I have done the whole 12 months course.I also got the opening module as well.It is a good course.The evaluation of positions pawn centre type etc was a bit over my head and I did not have the patience for it.The openings were well explained.In two phases  a basic opening as black the dutch and scandinavian and more complex later the semi slav and later B32 against 1e4 and then the french. For white they recommended 1 d4 and gave lines against everything.they also gave recommendations for 1 e4 Sicilian  closed, Ruy Lopez etcThey made an exception for the Nimzo indian recommending catalan at first then at the end giving lines against the nimzo.Sometimes the lines especially sidelines ended a little early

The main course dealt with all questions of strategy pawn types,isolated,hanging,pawns on files,closed files and many more and sample games model games,it gave questions/test yourself questions .I never was too excited by this and did not read the last few months of it but that is probably me.

Possibly I am the wrong guy to comment on it as I dont have much time to work at chess but it is an honest course,well thought out ,openings well explained and tries to be comprehensive ..

what to look for what you needed to achieve etc. but it was a bit expensive  and I find that i prefer the lectures here especially melikset,some things on chesslecture.com(Kraai especially) and chesspublishing.I dont really refer to chessmasterschool notes .So I dont know if that helps 

certainly helps... thanks, man

I am in my third month and it has helped my OTB play.  It takes work but you can go at your own pace.  You download the monthly modules and they are yours.  You can work on it as you like.  I suggest getting the opening modules as well for the extra $5/month.  Worth it!!

Chuck

so... you keep the material even if you cancel/finish the course?

Don't know about cancelling.You can download everything you get each month or continue to log in as I do .My sub finished april and I logged on a few minutes ago to check what openings they provided that I could not remember.I had no problem 

 Are you a chess master now?

Chessmaster no but I was too lazy or exhausted to put any time into it.Not saying that it would have done what it says on the tin.

Against KID it gives Bd3 at first.Yasser S used to play that so it is not bad.

At the end (actually 13 months) it gave Gligoric system and something else if no e5 I don't know if that is bad

 I don't think most people would become a chess master going through a one year course unless they were rated near that to begin with.

I agree with you on that.

This site has wonderful lessons on it.Like I said I prefer what's here.

I feel like I'm wasting my time even here, but I'll stick it out till the year's up in April.

maybe Lessons on ICC

 That's gotta be the biggest joke yet, if you're talking about that International chess school!!!!!!!!!!

sorry?If you feel you are wasting your time here I suggested lessons on Internet chess club.Whats the joke/

I'm probably wasting my time anywhere. But anyway, I thought you were talking about that school the OP asked about. I never heard of Internet chess club. Is there such a thing, or did you just make it up?

google it.

Plenty of GM'S ,IMs and FMs giving on line lessons.

Some worthwhile some not. Some famous some not.

Check vendors when you get there.If you get there.

Is it free?

No.  Although they have a free 1 week or 2 week trial for first time people (can't remember how long it is). 

The lessons cost as much as the particular player charges though -- I've never taken lessons on ICC so I have no idea how much they run.  The main draw of ICC though is it's tough field of players.  Not only all the titled players, but the average player in general is pound for pound just a tougher opponent.

If you're looking to improve, chess.com really is (IMO) the best site to be on.  They have player-coaches here too I believe.  And not only chess mentor and videos, but also forums like the analysis forum where people can give you free real word explanations on what was going on with your game.  It may take a lot of work -- but that'll be true no matter where you go.

I like chess mentor here, but I just feel it's a little too unstructured. I've tried to compensate by doing one complete course at a time, but I still feel that progress is slow and painsteaking. I mean, I've jumped up about 50 rating points since I started 3 months ago, but still... maybe I'm just asking too much.