This book is not about how I became a Grandmaster, rather about how a GM overcame various obstacles in his chess journey!

This book summarizes the MOST VALUABLE lessons from 20+ years of GM Smirnov’s extensive chess practice, both as a player and a COACH!

You’ll learn what does work best for your chess progress. Also, you’ll be warned of typical pitfalls or will see the way out if you are already stuck.

An old Chinese proverb says: “If you want to know the road ahead, ask those coming back”.

Finally, you’ll definitely enjoy reading a book full of interesting stories and witty advice. It may give a whole new meaning to your own chess study…

What Will You Learn from the Book?

How to master the art of attack

The cure for inconsistent results

How to create a system of chess understanding

Solutions for your time troubles

A genius’ technique to prevent blunders

How to make a good use of your computer

How to prepare for a tournament

How to beat strong opponents

Lessons from Garry Kasparov

How to cope with psychological pressure

How to deal with losses and pain

The art of planning

The key factors for success in chess!

A Promoted Pawn: My Chess Journey

Is This Book an Autobiography?

No, this is not my life story, it is the lessons I have learnt.

My GOAL was to share with you the BEST ideas I discovered about chess and training. I’m showing you how I came to those CONCLUSIONS and why they are so.

Hence, you’ll be able to digest the most POWERFUL techniques for chess training/playing and use them in your own practice!

Road to Chess Improvement

There are many TWISTS and TURNS down the road to chess strength and improvement. Chess STUDENTS are told many things, and not all of them are correct. Some things are actually flat out wrong!

This same information gets passed down generation after generation and players don’t get any better.

I hope to HELP the reader navigate through some of these pitfalls and steer them along the better parts of the road for smoother travel.