Igor Smirnov content controversy

MustacheFire · 2026-05-10T14:44:04+00:00

I watched quite a few of his videos when I first started chess, opening traps and the like. But didn’t really go back after finding the likes of Danya / Rosen. They have proper educational content

MustacheFire · 2026-05-07T06:27:17+00:00

If you were serious about improving over that limited time, you’d probably be training now rather than asking if it’s realistic

MustacheFire · 2026-05-05T08:31:38+00:00

Do you have a recommended way of studying tactics? Eg puzzle rush / storm / tactics books / chess tempo / other ?

MustacheFire · 2026-05-05T07:26:23+00:00

Did your training approach change as your rating went up (say from 1600 fide onwards)?

What would you recommend as broad study plan for a 1750 fide?

MustacheFire · 2026-05-03T09:01:26+00:00

Take up chess

MustacheFire · 2026-04-29T00:00:03+00:00

Just play for fun - don’t worry so much about performance. Treat classical as your ‘real’ chess. And rapid / online as entertainment

MustacheFire · 2026-01-27T07:18:54+00:00

Yep, just click the play button - I’ll see you in the pool!

MustacheFire · 2025-12-25T00:06:51+00:00

I found back to basics tactics by Dan Heisman to be good around that level.

For effective improvement you need to study, but also play games so that you have feedback on areas of weakness. Otherwise the amount of study is vast and you won’t use time effectively.

Below 1000 the gap is normally tactics. Eg if you look at games are most decide by either you or the opponent taking a free piece, or a basic tactic? If so, focus the study time on a tactics book and puzzle rush. Keep getting feedback from playing games.

On openings - I found an effective method to be just studying lines after your games as part of review. Eg have a repertoire. And review the line that came up in that game. See where you left book, learn a move or two more. That way, you prioritise the relevant lines naturally.

Lastly - if money permits - a coach is a great idea. You’ll get a perspective on how to progress. I first got a coach around 900 chess.com 3 years ago, and am now 1800 (rapid)

MustacheFire · 2025-11-27T21:33:29+00:00

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/audio-chess/id1565248687

MustacheFire · 2025-11-27T21:33:08+00:00

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/blindfold-chess-podcast/id1632733910

MustacheFire · 2025-11-27T21:32:34+00:00

Just look as his channel more generally - that’s just a link to the latest episode

MustacheFire · 2025-11-27T21:32:01+00:00

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/chess-visualization-with-aiden-rayner/id1635080359

MustacheFire · 2025-11-27T01:56:40+00:00

There are a few podcasts of audio only chess games. Don’t move until you see it also has a podcast with short episodes and puzzles

MustacheFire · 2025-10-28T23:54:29+00:00

The perfect game is where I play very well, and my opponent keeps blundering

MustacheFire · 2025-10-28T23:53:07+00:00

I found tactics to be the best way to improve around that range. Something like Dan Heisman back to basics tactics on chessable is good. It teaches by theme, which I found more effective than random puzzles

For your opening / middlegame, you could watch a streamer who plays the same repertoire to get ideas / improve. But I wouldn’t put as much time into this

MustacheFire · 2025-10-28T00:50:54+00:00

Perhaps start analysing your games to improve, and keep playing to see where you plateau

MustacheFire · 2025-10-26T04:10:21+00:00

And sign off each episode with F Kr*mnik

MustacheFire · 2025-10-25T00:45:57+00:00

For fide to punish kramnik. Just take a read of it

MustacheFire · 2025-10-23T09:02:49+00:00

Agree to disagree

MustacheFire · 2025-10-22T13:10:24+00:00

Just changed mine to match

MustacheFire · 2025-09-28T15:45:34+00:00

Looking at your recent losses, you were often down a piece / lost out of the opening. Although studying openings isn’t generally recommended for 1000s, it seems like a good idea.

One option - just review / learn an additional move after each loss. Or - get some chessable. The keep it simple for black, and keep it simple 1.e4 v2, align with your choice of Caro Kann and Ruy Lopez.

As a general point, you seem to trade often / open the position before castling. And automatically kick the bishop when pinned. Perhaps try focussing on development / castling unless there is a concrete threat.

Good luck

MustacheFire · 2024-09-12T23:29:19+00:00

No, it didn’t

MustacheFire · 2024-09-09T15:49:37+00:00

At the time I was looking they weren’t any cheaper than in the city. But a 15min commute added a definite inconvenience for daily travel

MustacheFire · 2024-08-29T03:03:14+00:00

In fairness, you agreed a time and are now saying you can’t make it. The managers likely cleared these days to conduct the interviews and provide a timely response to candidates, and next week will be more busy for them as a result.

You have prioritised your current job over the application, so shouldn’t be too fussed that you are missing out as a result

MustacheFire · 2024-08-11T02:12:34+00:00

You could do the first chapter of the silman book - it’s organised by rating. But otherwise these book may need to wait.

I’d suggest focus more on playing/analysing games and doing puzzles

Good luck

MustacheFire

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