February 2025 brings one of the most structured and comprehensive training months yet in the Modern Chess Academy. With the launch of the Mentorship Program, alongside our staple Strategy Wednesday, Tactical Thursday, Guided Practice, and Opening Lab, Academy members now have more resources than ever to enhance their chess skills.
Topic: Must-Know Strategies in Open Sicilian
Coach: GM Ioannis Papaioannou
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Dates:Β 12.02.2025 and 26.02.2025
π‘ Focus: Develop a deep understanding of the Open Sicilian, learning strategies for both White and Black that apply across multiple Sicilian variations.
Program:
π Paris Time | New York Time
π 17:30 - 19:00 | 11:30 - 13:00 β Must-Know Strategies in Open Sicilian β Part 1
π’ 19:30 - 21:00 | 13:30 - 15:00 β Must-Know Strategies in Open Sicilian β Part 2
π Paris Time | New York Time
π 17:30 - 19:00 | 11:30 - 13:00 β Must-Know Strategies in Open Sicilian β Part 3
π’ 19:30 - 21:00 | 13:30 - 15:00 β Must-Know Strategies in Open Sicilian β Part 4
π€ 21:00 - 21:30 | 15:00 - 15:30 β Q&A Session with GM Grigor Grigorov and GM Petar Arnaudov
Topic: Calculation in Attack and Defense
Coach: GM Davorin Kuljasevic
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Dates: 13.02.2025 and 20.02.2025
π‘ Focus: Improve your calculation techniques when attacking and defending, incorporating key elements such as Ply Theory, Candidate Moves, Prophylactic Thinking, and Visualization.
Program:
π Paris Time | New York Time
π 17:30 - 19:00 | 11:30 - 13:00 β Calculation in Attack and Defense β Part 1
π’ 19:30 - 21:00 | 13:30 - 15:00 β Calculation in Attack and Defense β Part 2
π Paris Time | New York Time
π 17:30 - 19:00 | 11:30 - 13:00 β Calculation in Attack and Defense β Part 3
π’ 19:30 - 21:00 | 13:30 - 15:00 β Calculation in Attack and Defense β Part 4
π€ 21:00 - 21:30 | 15:00 - 15:30 β Q&A Session with GM Grigor Grigorov and GM Petar Arnaudov
Topic: Doubled Pawns
Instructor: IM Siegfried Baumegger
π‘ Focus: Learn how to play for and against doubled pawns in different structures, improving strategic decision-making in real games.
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Training Stages:
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05.02.2025: Receive 15 test positions (Stage 1)
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07.02.2025: Receive annotated solutions for Stage 1 + 15 new test positions (Stage 2)
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14.02.2025: Receive annotated solutions for Stage 2 + 15 new test positions (Stage 3)
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21.02.2025: Receive annotated solutions for Stage 3 + 15 new test positions (Stage 4)
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28.02.2025: Receive a PGN file with solutions for all 60 positions + a 2-hour instructional video
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Dates:
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23.02.2025: Deadline to submit opening questions
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27.02.2025: Receive expert video answers by GM Grigor Grigorov & GM Petar Arnaudov
π‘ How It Works?
π Academy members can submit opening-related questions, and our experts will analyze them and deliver detailed video explanations.
π Exclusively for 6-month subscribers
π‘ The Mentorship Program offers personalized chess guidance, structured training plans, and one-on-one progress tracking.
How It Works:
πΉ Complete the Mentorship Questionnaire (available after subscribing)
πΉ Submit 20 recent games for analysis
πΉ Get assigned a mentor suited to your playing style
πΉ Kickoff Meeting (30 minutes): Discuss goals, review games, create a plan
πΉ Monthly Check-ins (30 minutes): Track progress, adjust plans, analyze games
π Who Can Join?
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New 6-Month Subscribers: Automatically enrolled after completing the questionnaire.
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Existing 6-Month Subscribers: Eligible immediately. Even if your membership expires within six months, you will continue working with your mentor for six months.
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Live GM-led training sessions in strategy & tactics
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Guided Practice β structured, hands-on learning with annotated test positions
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Opening Lab β answers to your opening questions from top experts
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Mentorship Program β one-on-one progress tracking & game analysis
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Recordings, PGN files & additional digital products for long-term improvement
π Modern Chess Academy is your complete structured training platform.
π‘ Join now and make February 2025 your best chess month yet!