Start Date: September 19
Master Game Planning in Chess
with FM Viktor Neustroev
A 12-lesson live course to build your chess planning skills, improve positional understanding, and start playing with confidence in all phases of the game.
What You Will Learn
This course is designed to fill one of the biggest gaps in chess education: how to plan in unclear positions. Step-by-step, together with the experiences chess coach you will learn how to evaluate positions, build a flexible strategy, and adjust your thinking as the position evolves — just like titled players do.
After these 12 lessons, you’ll be able to:
- Understand pawn structures and their strategic impact
- Build plans based on strengths, weaknesses, and imbalances
- Play with clarity in open, closed, and dynamic positions
- Recognize your opponent’s plans — and stop them
- Transition smoothly from middlegame to endgame
Whether you're 1200 or 1800, this is the course that teaches you how to think, not just calculate.
Lesson Plan
| Lesson | Topic | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson 1 | Why Planning Wins Games | Strategic thinking, dynamic vs. static play, planning model |
| Lesson 2 | Understanding the Pawn Structure | Structure types, long-term weaknesses, central control |
| Lesson 3 | How to Use Space Advantage in Chess | Space control vs. overextension, how to convert space |
| Lesson 4 | Planning in Open Positions | Files, diagonals, open board strategy |
| Lesson 5 | Planning in Closed Positions | Maneuvering, pawn breaks, patience in positional play |
| Lesson 6 | Fixing the Worst-Placed Piece | Finding and improving your worst piece to boost activity |
| Lesson 7 | Attacking Weaknesse | Creating and targeting weaknesses with a long-term plan |
| Lesson 8 | How to Time Pawn Breaks | When to break the structure — and when not to |
| Lesson 9 | Switching the Plan Midgame | What to do when your plan doesn't work |
| Lesson 10 | Planning the Middlegame-Endgame Transition | When to trade, simplify, or keep tension |
| Lesson 11 | Recognizing Your Opponent’s Plan | Prophylaxis, anticipation, and plan disruption |
| Lesson 12 | Live Planning Practice with Feedback | Integrating concepts in real-time scenarios |
Each session combines theory, exercises, and guided examples from real games to help you turn strategic ideas into practical results.
About the Instructor
Meet Your Coach
Viktor Neustroev
Viktor Neustroev
I'm Viktor Neustroev, a FIDE Master with a rating of 2305 and a dedicated chess coach passionate about tactics and openings.
Chess has been my lifelong pursuit since the age of 5, and I've progressed from student to coach, constantly learning from both my own experiences and my students. Based in Buenos Aires, I teach chess to children and adults, both online and offline, with most of my students seeing significant ranking improvements.
Notably, I've coached the Siberian girls' under-9 champion and the Hong Kong Junior Champion 2024 in the under-8 category. My teaching focuses on enhancing critical thinking and applying practical tactics in real games. I provide students with a clear algorithm to improve their play, ensuring they stay focused and confident, even under pressure.
Choose Your Plan
Live Classes: Friday at 5 PM EDT
Includes: 12 live sessions (1.5h), lifetime recordings, homework
Full Course Payment:
$149
Enroll Now
Installment Plan:
$59
per month for 3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if I miss a class? Don't worry—it's not a problem at all. At the end of each class, every student receives an email containing the recording of the lesson, PGN files, and homework assignments.
- What is the recommended rating range for this course? The course is designed for players with an online rating from 1200 to 1800
- What materials will I need? Only a device to access the lessons, and a willingness to practice and improve.
- How is the homework structured? Each lesson comes with a PDF containing exercises related to that week's topics.
Too many players drift in the middlegame — waiting for tactics instead of making plans. If you want to finally think ahead, stop making random moves, and learn to play like masters do, this is your next step.
This course is not about tactics, not about memorizing openings — it’s about giving you a thinking framework that you can apply in every single game. You’ll walk away not only with concepts, but with a system that actually helps you make better decisions at the board.
The course starts September 19.
Reserve your seat now!