Ioannis Papaioannou returns in January 2026 with a theme that lies at the heart of strong strategic play — How to Find the Right Plan.
In this edition of Strategy Wednesday, the focus shifts from individual moves to the deeper question every strong player must answer: What should I be playing for in this position? GM Papaioannou will guide you through the process of identifying the correct plan based on structure, piece placement, long-term imbalances, and the opponent’s resources.
A central idea of this camp is learning to think in plans rather than moves. Many players calculate well but still drift strategically because they lack a clear directional framework. This training addresses exactly that gap, showing how strong players consistently choose plans that make sense — even in complex or quiet positions.
Throughout the camp, GM Papaioannou will demonstrate how plans are not abstract ideas, but concrete guides for decision-making. You will see how plans evolve, when they must change, and how to recognise moments where sticking to the original plan becomes a mistake.
Throughout the camp, GM Papaioannou will show you:
• How to identify the key features of a position that define the plan
• How pawn structure dictates strategic direction
• How to coordinate pieces toward a common long-term goal
• When to switch plans — and when not to
• How strong players avoid aimless manoeuvring
This training will not only improve your strategic clarity — it will help you play with purpose, consistency, and confidence in all phases of the game.
Strategy Wednesday will take place over two Wednesdays — 14.01.2026 and 28.01.2026 — with two sessions per day. After each training day, participants will receive 10 test positions designed to reinforce the concepts introduced during the lectures. All positions will be included with solutions in the final PGN file.
All sessions are part of the Modern Chess Academy, meaning Academy members receive free access to the live lectures and to the complete digital product released afterward.
🛠 Technical Details
✓ Dates: 21.01.2026 and 28.01.2026
✓ Platform: Zoom
✓ Coach: GM Ioannis Papaioannou
📅 Program
21.01.2026 – Paris | New York
🕒 17:30 – 19:00 | 11:30 – 13:00 – How to Find the Right Plan – Part 1
🕒 19:30 – 21:00 | 13:30 – 15:00 – How to Find the Right Plan – Part 2
28.01.2026 – Paris | New York
🕒 17:30 – 19:00 | 11:30 – 13:00 – How to Find the Right Plan – Part 3
🕒 19:30 – 21:00 | 13:30 – 15:00 – How to Find the Right Plan – Part 4
🕒 21:00 – 21:30 | 15:00 – 15:30 – Q&A with GM Grigor Grigorov & GM Petar Arnaudov
🎁 Participants Receive:
• Recordings of all lectures
• PGN files with all material (2–3 weeks after the event)
• Final digital product based on all four lectures
• Free access for Academy members
🔥 What You Will Gain
• A clear method for choosing plans in any type of position
• Better strategic orientation and reduced uncertainty
• Improved coordination between calculation and strategy
• Greater confidence in quiet and complex positions
• More consistent practical decision-making
This camp will help you stop guessing and start playing with a plan. It is a fundamental strategic upgrade for players who want clarity, direction, and control at the board.
This event is completed.