How to Win Against an IGM in 20 Moves.
A Legendary Mind at the Board: Alexander Beliavsky Live
- Date: February 8, 2026
- Time: 18:00 CET
- https://www.kcfacademy.org/register/
Following an incredible live lecture by Garry Kasparov at KCF Academy on February 1, which set a new standard for real-time elite chess education, KCF Academy continues its mission to connect its community with chess legends and their unmatched expertise.
KCF Academy is excited to welcome back GM Alexander Beliavsky, one of the greatest chess minds of our time, for a special lecture. This time, he's sharing an even more inspiring and ambitious topic: “How to Win Against an IGM in 20 Moves.”
Alexander Beliavsky will reveal how to take control early, neutralize counterplay, and strike decisively, even against the strongest opponent. This is not theory for theory’s sake - this is practical, battle-tested chess, distilled from decades at the very top.
Alexander Beliavsky is a true legend of the game. A four-time USSR Champion, three-time Olympiad Champion, and two-time Candidates Tournament participant, he belongs to an exclusive group of players, alongside Keres and Korchnoi, who have defeated no fewer than nine World Champions. His bold, uncompromising style earned him the iconic nickname “Big Al”, and his tournament wins, including Tilburg 1986, are part of chess history.
Beyond his own achievements, Beliavsky has shaped generations of elite players. He served as a key coach to Garry Kasparov and has worked with the stars, such as Fabiano Caruana, Richard Rapport, Arkadij Naiditsch, and Anna Muzychuk. Today, he continues his mission as a trainer of the Ukrainian National Team, sharing elite-level understanding with players worldwide.
This live training session at KCF Academy offers a rare chance to understand how grandmasters think when the stakes are highest, and how you can use those principles in your own games.
On February 8, 2026, don’t miss your chance to learn from a living legend.
Take the board with confidence. Strike with clarity. Learn how to win fast.
As part of its commitment, KCF Academy is proud to invite African Chess Federations to participate in its training programs and is offering dedicated scholarships to support chess federations and coaches across the continent. By combining legendary instruction with meaningful access, KCF Academy is helping shape the next generation of chess excellence worldwide.
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Embark on a complete chess training journey with KCF Academy, guided by an elite team of international Grandmasters and various guest stars, along with Garry Kasparov: Fabiano Caruana, Veselin Topalov, Levon Aronian, Peter Svidler, and many other surprise star guests. The 2026 season is the most comprehensive yet, featuring weekly workshops, four progressive training levels, and a dedicated Expert Group designed for advanced players (2200+ FIDE or Level 4 graduates).
As a member of the KCF Academy, you’ll join a global chess community, train with some of the best minds in the game, and gain exclusive benefits for our flagship in-person event - the Kasparov Chess Foundation Friendship Festival in Slovenia (June 25 – July 5, 2026), where students, trainers, and chess enthusiasts from around the world come together.
Join special Saturday Academy lessons, designed for four skill levels and built on the legendary Botvinnik School training system. Unlike many modern programs, this approach preserves the timeless, systematic teaching of classical chess principles.
The Botvinnik School shaped nearly all the great champions of the 20th century, including Karpov, Kasparov, Yusupov, Beliavsky, Shirov, and many other grandmasters. Now, you can train in that same world-class tradition and meet chess stars online!
Don´t miss your chance to join now!