Chess training comparison · 2026
Remote Chess Academy vs DevelopChess
Remote Chess Academy is the course-library choice for players who want long-form instruction and packaged improvement systems. DevelopChess is the active-practice choice for quick game-derived lessons and a ready public training catalog.
The short answer
Choose by the work you want to repeat.
The real difference
Remote Chess Academy and DevelopChess start from different training units.
Remote Chess Academy, founded by GM Igor Smirnov, sells structured online courses and packages spanning openings, middlegames, calculation, psychology, and general improvement. The learning unit is an authored program studied over time.
DevelopChess is not a course store. A learner can start with one public puzzle or paste a game and receive a few prioritized lessons, then follow related work in the guided tree and Chess DNA dashboard.
Feature-by-feature
Remote Chess Academy vs DevelopChess at a glance
| Question | Remote Chess Academy | DevelopChess |
|---|---|---|
| Primary material | Authored video courses and packages | Your PGN plus public interactive positions |
| Instruction | Long-form grandmaster teaching | Short written explanations and board retries |
| Openings | Complete systems and course bundles | Opening decisions inside broader training |
| Personal games | Apply course concepts during self-review | Direct game-to-lesson workflow |
| Community | Course support and academy ecosystem | Individual self-study |
| Progress | Course completion and applied study | Eight-area Chess DNA |
Decision guide
Who should choose which?
Choose Remote Chess Academy if…
- You want a complete authored improvement program.
- Long-form video instruction fits your schedule.
- A particular opening or middlegame package matches your goal.
Choose DevelopChess if…
- You want to learn from a game immediately.
- Short active positions fit limited study time.
- You want broad puzzle practice before buying a course.
They can work together
A two-tool training plan
Study a structured concept in Remote Chess Academy, then bring relevant played games to DevelopChess to practice the corrections and check whether the idea is transferring.
Common questions
Remote Chess Academy vs DevelopChess FAQ
What is Remote Chess Academy best at?
Packaged video courses, grandmaster instruction, opening systems, middlegame plans, and downloadable study resources.
What does DevelopChess do differently?
Immediate PGN explanations, playable corrections, puzzles, guided positions, and skill tracking. DevelopChess does not provide Remote Chess Academy’s long-form paid course library.
Can I use Remote Chess Academy and DevelopChess together?
Study a structured concept in Remote Chess Academy, then bring relevant played games to DevelopChess to practice the corrections and check whether the idea is transferring.
Primary sources
What we checked
Competitor features were checked against the official pages below on August 17, 2026. Product features and availability can change; verify time-sensitive details before buying.
Try the workflow yourself
One puzzle is a better test than another feature list.
Open a position immediately—no account required—or paste a PGN and turn a real game into a few focused lessons.