The international chess school

Is the international chess schools grand master package worth the money or is the remote chess academy better for the money.

I'd like to hear your feedback

Thanks

Can you come back to me quickly

Please

Pardon My Blunders

ICS Grand Master Package is an excellent course, but it's not for everyone.

1. It's not for the beginner. About 1600-1700 is minimum to get the most of the course, I think.

2. You have to be really dedicated and disciplined. If you want to finish the course in one year, you have to give it at least 10 hours a week. Of course you could study in your own pace, but you really have to spend a lot of time and hard work.

If you are a good club player and are willing to spend time, energy and money to improve your play, then I think it's worth the money.

Anyone else try ICS recently?

I have, I vouch for it. It takes TONS of work though, gives you a full course to master (takes 2-3 years) but it is working great. So far cant commit tons of time (high school) So i finish one month in 2 or so... But I am seeing immidiate progress (I can visualise the board! I can stop oversights and blunders, I can make a plan etc) much easier than before, but it requires a lot of effort and work, and if you are only going to go in half way it is not worth it

Good, thanks for giving me some feedback.  I've heard some conflicting things about the amount of material given.  One person said they only get about 20 pages of material per month, while, on the other hand, I read a blogger who said he filled a 4-inch binder every 3 months.  How much information (# of pages, or whatever) and how much time does it require each week approximately?

As one person mentioned, the course is supposed to be geared toward stonger players, particularly over 1600 or 1700; but you are 1500 USCF.  So I am curious how long you've been doing he ICS?  I've even read that players using the ICS to move from 1900 toward 2200, so I'm a bit surprised that you attribute your rating gains to it.

Can you say something about the sorts of things you are learning?

Thank you.

I think its a pretty good program. But difficult for most people to commit to. I think its good to redo the months again and again to get the most out of it.

Once you have the material for all the months, there'd be no need to continue to pay the website, right?

I have completed one month.

20 pages? Yeah right.. more like 20 files. 

Here this is info that will help:

In month 1 there is 79 pages plus 3 videos + PGNS and online versions of everything + 24 pages (Hard bonus work for 1800+). It is extremely in depth. They allow you to email them for help (Super GM's!)

And I have printed months 2 and three... They are at least twice as much files and videos etc. Month one is like a preview. 

Month one they teach you the relative value of pieces in every scenario and together which others. 

They teach you how to think during middlegame stage and how to look for the best move always. They test you on finding the best plan. they also teach you tactics, and positional evaluation

Want more info on later months? Ask me or check the website.

I attribute ~80-100 USCF points of skill to month one.

And I expect my rating to go up this weekend when I do a tournement, have not done one for months

You have permenent access to the files, and can even save them on your computer.

Unfortunately many of the papers are formated to europe paper, so you have to spend a few minutes converting to PGN and printing at 90% Size if you want some of them not to be cut off (and you want to print)

Hard to commit! I have only finished one month seriously and they have sent me 5. But I will get back into it, every time I seriously study I get progress!