The Grandmaster's positional understanding, by Igor Smirnov

moving backward is the hardest thing to do, but GM do whenever needed but in style!

That sort of advice is given by every coach worth his salt. And that's been one of the main criticisms I've seen of his work. The material is good, but not terribly original. His main idea seems to be an expression of Kasparov's advice: target your efforts.

Many years ago, Kasparov recommended making a list of strengths and weaknesses. Be as precise as possible. For instance, don't just say that you're weak in endgames. Find out which endgame give you the most trouble and work on that until it becomes a strength. Then work on the next weakness.

The real problem for most students is that they aren't motivated enough to stick with a program for the long haul. Perhaps paying a large sum of money provides that incentive to get something out of the lessons?

Year's ago I did have a chess coach, at present my  situation precludes such frivolities. Maybe all I need is to go over the standard ideas and advice coaches give out routinely to improve my game. I will review further lessons and see what happens. Let me point out that a good coach charges quite a bit of money so the cost of these courses may not be so out of line. I'm sure GM Smirnov has to make a living just like everyone else.

Both seem overpriced.  Don't buy the latest Fritz, and you will save a lot of money.  I currently use Fritz 7 and it meets my needs.  There are a lot of first class chess manuels out there that will help your game, much cheaper than Smirnov's dvd.  

Thanks Blake I agree with and appreciate your comments.

Frank124c makes some good points.

It's the way that Igor Smirnov is going about "making his living" that many of us find objectionable.  I will say it once more.  He is a GRANDMASTER, he represents the highest echelons and standards of the game and FIDE.  He should conduct himself in a way appropriate to his status in the game.

Igor Smirnov simply should not use his title and his status in ways that appear to demean and prostitute the game and himself on the internet.

If you have a chess coach today who has a GM title he will charge you a large sum of money to train you. But how does he get clients? He has to advertise. In this modern day and age, advertising is done on the internet. The New York Times does it, Macy's does it, why can't Smirnov do it? I used to be a salesman--am now retired. To catch people's attention i had to use flashy displays. If you just stand around in your business suit and tie and smile at people they will ignore you. If you strip down and  flash your wares they will definitely pay attention to you. Maybe you are a high class gentelman who has old money and distains us working class people, nonetheless we are here and if we don't jump up and down and sing and dance and make a lot of noise we will starve to death while you hold your nose in the air and dine on your steak and champagne whilst having your lawyers complain to your congressman about all that noise.    

Thanks frank124c - lol - no need to get so upset with a humble kiwi who you know nothing about.  

Two small things:

1.) Show me ONE other grandmaster or chess publisher who is conducting themselves this way?

2.) I have been waiting over a week now for ONE of Smirnov's successful students to post there chess stats here - NOTHING.

Earning money in an open an honest way is one thing.  Ripping people off is another. It's not difficult to understand a struggling retired salesman jumping to defend the way he earned his living, it ok Frankie.  (We wont tell Igor you stole his course and using it without him getting a cent bad boy!!)

Grandmasters however should be above all that. They, should be "eating steak and drinking champaign" - with their noses in the air not prostituting their wares like travelling salesmen. 

Sales is one of the most noble professions on earth.

They're not offering sex in exchange for money, so please quit prostituting.

Also, with you casting aspersions on Igor's character like that, it's dangerously close to the criminal act of libel which is using the written word to publicly attack someone's character.

You could be costing the hardworking professional sales. Do you have any right to take food out of his mouth?

Or are you just wanting to be a busy body speaking of things you know nothing of while not even buying the course to even attempt to be qualified to offer an informed opinion?

It doesn't matter if you don't like his style. Why the hate and character assassination?

Are you in any capacity whatsoever to judge him? That's a rhetorical question because the answer is no.

He's not done anything wrong. You can wish he did something wrong because you envy him profiting from the hard-earned knowledge and expertise he's gained...but that doesn't make it wrong.

The role of the entrepreneur is a righteous position. Without them, you'd have no businesses.

And what do you mean by grandmasters should have their noses in the air?

Are they not good enough in your estimation to go into business and be successful?

The holier than thou facade isn't fooling anyone. If you haven't purchased the products...what right do you have to offer an opinion on the products either way with absolutely no experience with them?

Are you hoping to cop a free course too? 

Successful business persons don't owe anyone anything.

The ones who have failed at business are not victims who successful business persons owe.

You're casting aspersions on sales professionals and sales is a noble profession.

Nothing in business happens without a sale.

And you can wait a year for some students to post their stats and if they don't, it means - NOTHING.

Hope I did not upset u with my previous reply. I object 2 u using the word "prostituting." He is using  creativity in his sales technique just as Ford uses creativity in the way they sell their cars, or Quaker Oats sells breakfast cereals.  Since you do not live in the US, perhaps you are not used to the manner in which various products are pitched. I did not steal the course, I was given it by a friend, perfectly legal and honest. 

Yes of course Frankie - you know in New Zealand we like don't have TV or infomercials or McDonald's and all that great American stuff - you know we just chop wood and make throat noises.  Our language is slowly developing. We are hoping to get computers and maybe one day even the internet. I'll tell you one thing though - we love our drink, we love our women and we know a whore when we see one.

Oh and learning, lol - sorry I didn't notice your little comment - take a breath mate - Jesus lost the game - get over it.

No worries little buddy.

Don't be fooled kiwi...I was over it from before the beginning and will remain over it after the end. Jesus won the war. It is finished. And that's one rock no one can move no matter how sarcastically they gnash their teeth against it or how desperately they wish it wasn't so.

Did you seriously just use the statement, prostituting the game?? lolol.  That literally makes absolutely no sense and his hands down the most ridiculous thing ever stated on this forum.

I personally am not a fan of smirnov, but he is clearly just trying to make an honest living teaching the game he clearly has a passion for.  Prostituting the game?  You need to get a clue, or maybe just a thesaurus.

thanks for the english lesson.  We've all heard of the word.  Smirnov may be overpriced.  But corrupting the game?  Seriously. enough with the conspiracy theories get a life.

Writing to sell takes much more than mere talent and is by no means a corruption of talent. To the contrary, it's an honorable craft. Those who insist there is some higher form of writing are usually the ones just too lazy to learn how to sell with it.

A doctor who gets a salary isn't prostituting his talent. The workman is worthy of his hire.

Just looking at some stats.  Mattyf9 is quite impressive really - but we know he hasn't done Smirnov because he hates the voice and struggles with English. But learningthemoves - hmmm - when did you do Smirnov's "honourable" lmao courses buddy? Do tell, please please!!!

Of course you don't CG ... lol  but then you were the one in need of the English lesson when you decided to poke your head up, right? I think you need to read the thread. 

My objection is the use of the word "prostitute." To me a prostitute is a person who commits a criminal act that destroys families and spreads terrible diseases to make money. This is not what Smirnov does, he is trying to spread the love of chess to the world and to make a living doing so. He is using modern advertising methods to do it. I was also accused of stealing, this is a personal attack on me. I have not stolen anything and I take exception to being accused of doing so. Mr. Kiwi has shown his true personality by showing he has no respect for anyone by insulting our religion.

PS--I have never been to New Zealand and have no idea what goes on there. I do remember seeing a tv show about NZ where people where shown walking around wearing only grass skirts. Here in America we are constantly attacked by endless media trying to get us to spend our hard earned wages on worthless junk. At least Smirnov gives some value for his items.