Build A Simple, Practical Opening Repertoire
Proven In 1,000+ Real Wins
No memorization stress. Stay calm when opponents go off script and know what to do against weird moves, sidelines, and what to play next after the opening.
Gabriel Víquez
“I’m Gabriel, a chess player who took this course a year ago. My struggle was general — I was stuck around 1400 rapid on Chess.com. The course helped me understand chess more deeply. The best part is you can still see results months later — you skyrocket.”
Does This Sound Like You?
- Your opponent plays a “weird move” and you freeze because it’s not in your prep
- You get out of the opening and think, “Okay… what’s my plan now?”
- There’s too much to remember, so you feel overwhelmed and forget lines under pressure
- You burn time trying to “punish” bad moves, then rush and blunder anyway
You’re not alone…
“I absolutely have to recommend this course. It is incredible.”
Benedikt Huber (from 1959 to 2287 ELO in 1 year with the help of the course)
I was stuck at chess for years… until I discovered a simple system that does not rely on endless memorization.
I used to think openings were the easy part of chess.
I did what everyone does: memorized lines, watched endless videos, even paid coaches — convinced that if I learned “enough theory,” I’d stop losing early.
But in real games, something kept happening:
- My opponent played a weird move on move 4–6… and my prep vanished.
- I burned time trying to “punish” it… then rushed… and blundered anyway.
- Even when the opening went well, I hit move 10–12 and thought: “Okay… what’s my plan now?”
For years, the answer was always the same: memorize more lines.
Then I noticed something in my best games: I wasn’t remembering more — I was following a simple system.
- Recognize real threats (checks, captures, direct attacks)
- Develop with purpose (not autopilot moves)
- Reach positions where I always knew the middlegame plan
I scrapped giant repertoires and focused only on the small set of positions that appear again and again in real games. Not just moves — plans.
That single change flipped everything:
- My rating pushed past 2400
- I became an International Master
- I won the German U-25 Championship
- I got to play Fabiano Caruana at the World Rapid Team Chess Championship
And the best part? I didn’t need a “theory cave.” I needed a system that works when opponents go off-script.
That’s why I built Opening Mastery — so you stop freezing on weird moves, stop feeling overwhelmed, and reach the middlegame with a clear plan.
Now I teach it every day — and I’d love to share it with you.
“This program helps you to finally stop the blunders”
Patrick Schmidt (from 700 to 900+ ELO after the course)
Introducing Opening Mastery
A simple, step-by-step plan that turns opening chaos into a clear, winning plan.
A single opening system that grows with you—so you’ll never need another opening course.
Join once and own the training forever—revisit lessons anytime and enjoy all future updates free.
Bite-size videos guide you through every idea in plain language.
Quick exercises after each lesson lock the moves into muscle memory.
Understand why each move works—play with purpose, not rote lists.
Ready-made plans keep you confident once the pieces are developed.
Guidance from IM Yevhenii Yelisieiev helps you stay on track.
Special bonuses when you sign up today!
Activate your free month of live coaching once you join. Weekly lessons + recordings included.
Stay subscribed into your second month and unlock a private 1-on-1 lesson with me.
Ask questions anytime and get daily help from fellow players and the coaching team.
A ready schedule to keep your improvement rolling after the course ends.
I take all the risk. Try Opening Mastery for 14 days. Join one live call, explore the first modules, and put the ideas to work. If you don’t love it, email support@journeytograndmaster.com and I’ll refund you—no forms, no pressure, no hard feelings.
- ✔Join at least one live call within 14 days.
- ✔Not for you? Full refund when you email us. That’s it.
- ✔Keep your notes and momentum—come back any time.
Hundreds of verified student reviews
Real results from real players — scroll, filter, and read them all.
How you will build a lifetime opening repertoire
(10 clear modules)
- Quickstarter: Start here first for the main plans and the most common sidelines you’ll face in real games
- Module 1: Key Opening Principles
- Module 2–3: Start with 1.d4!—Beat King’s Indian & Grünfeld Defenses
- Module 4: Beat every 1…d5 setup with the Colle System
- Module 5: Beat Benoni, Dutch & other sidelines
- Module 6–7: Beat 1.e4 with the Philidor Defense
- Module 8–9: Beat 1.d4 with the Old-Indian Defense
- Module 10: Destroy the sidelines—English, London System & more
Who is this course for?
- You’re a motivated chess player in the 800–2200 Elo range who wants a simple, reliable opening system
- You freeze on “weird moves” and want a clear framework to respond confidently
- You want a real middlegame plan, not a memory test
- You want a structured step-by-step path you can follow at your own pace
Who is this course NOT for?
- You want a “magic opening” without practice or thinking
- You prefer memorizing theory instead of understanding plans
- You’re not willing to follow a structured system
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is Opening Mastery for?
Opening Mastery is designed for players rated 800+ Elo.
If you’re below 800, I genuinely recommend you start with the 1000 Elo Blueprint first. It will change your chess forever, and it also includes an openings module—so you’ll still improve your openings while building the fundamentals that make everything easier.
Will I feel overwhelmed? Do I need to memorize lots of lines?
This is one of the biggest reasons people join: they’re tired of endless theory.
We focus on simple structures + plans first (what you’re aiming for and why), and then we add only the high-frequency sidelines you’ll actually face under 2000.
- You’ll learn what to do when you forget a line (instead of panicking).
- You’ll get repeatable practice so the moves become automatic over time.
- You can follow it as a focused sprint or go self-paced without losing the logic.
What if my opponent plays “weird moves” or deviates early?
That’s exactly what the system is built for. Most students don’t lose because the opponent plays “perfect theory” — they lose because the opponent plays something odd and it breaks their rhythm.
You’ll learn a simple decision framework:
- Check for real threats (checks/captures/direct attacks).
- If there’s a threat, handle it in the most active way (defend while developing / improving a piece).
- If there’s no threat, punish slow moves with better development and a clear plan.
We also cover the most common offbeat lines you’ll actually see in real games.
I get out of the opening… and then I don’t know what to do. Does this fix that?
Yes — this is another huge pain point.
We don’t stop at “play these moves.” You’ll learn the middlegame plans that come from the structures, including:
- Typical piece placement and which pieces to trade/keep
- The main pawn breaks to play for
- Common tactical themes that appear from your setups
The goal is that by move 8–12 you have a plan, not a memory test.
How much time per day do I need?
If you follow it as an intensive sprint, plan for 1–2 hours/day (lesson + drills + one game).
If you’re busy, you can still make progress with 30–45 minutes/day by doing:
- One short lesson segment
- A quick practice block
- A short review of one key position (or one short game)
It’s self-paced and your access doesn’t expire.
How do I practice the lines (PGNs / Lichess Study)?
You’ll get the course PGNs and training studies so you can repeat the positions instead of passively watching.
- Play through the main ideas first (to understand the plan)
- Then use the practice mode to rehearse common branches
- Finally, apply it in real games and review where you deviated
There’s also a short walkthrough inside the program showing the fastest way to use the studies without wasting time.
Can I start anytime? Are there replays?
Start immediately. You get instant access to all modules.
If you activate the Academy bonus, live lessons run weekly and replays are posted in the portal within 24 hours.
Do I keep access forever?
Yes — you get lifetime access to the Opening Mastery course videos and downloads (PGNs, prep sheets), including future updates.
Academy live coaching (including live lessons and replays) is part of a separate subscription if you choose to continue after your free month.
Are there live lessons? Can you analyze my games?
Yes. If you activate the Academy bonus, you’ll get access to weekly live lessons. You can:
- Submit recent games and get my live analysis.
- Get your opening decisions, middlegame plans, and time-management reviewed.
- Ask questions and see fixes applied on the board right away.
How does the free month of Academy live coaching work?
Your purchase includes an optional bonus: you can activate your first month of Academy live coaching for free on the next page.
- Activation required: If you don’t activate it, nothing starts and you will not be billed.
- After the free month: The Academy continues at a discounted student rate of €99/month for customers located in the EU and $99/month for customers outside the EU, unless you cancel.
- Cancel anytime: Email support@journeytograndmaster.com and your subscription will stop at the end of your billing period.
How does the free 1-on-1 lesson work?
If you activate the Academy bonus and stay subscribed into your second month, you unlock a free 30-minute 1-on-1 lesson with IM Yevhenii Yelisieiev.
- Eligibility: You must be actively subscribed in month 2.
- Limit: One free 1-on-1 lesson per customer/subscription account.
Refund terms — what’s the guarantee?
Simple: a 14-day money-back guarantee. Attend at least one live lesson and try the first modules. If it isn’t for you, email support@journeytograndmaster.com within 14 days for a full refund. No forms, no pressure.
Language and subtitles?
The course is in English. Subtitles/captions are provided on all core lessons; we’re adding more language tracks over time.
How is this different from random YouTube study?
YouTube is great for ideas, but it’s not a system. Here you get a step-by-step plan, curated PGNs, targeted drills, weekly coaching, and accountability — so you spend less time searching and more time improving.