The Simplified Chess Improvement System (Formerly Next Level Training)
A proven, holistic chess improvement system to get more out of each hour you spend on Chess.
The Simplified Chess Improvement System is a holistic chess improvement course that helps you consistently improve your skills and results.
Create your own personalized Chess Training plan, and learn how to study the right way to finally discover your real potential.
Join 800+ players and learn how to train effectively from a Grandmaster.
Do you spend time on chess training but you don't see results?
You study. You grind. You put in the hours. But no matter how many openings you memorize, puzzles you solve, or videos you watch… your rating barely moves.
Meanwhile, other players seem to improve effortlessly. What are they doing that you aren’t?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The truth is: most chess training is broken. Random puzzles, scattered opening prep, and passive studying don’t work. Pair this with an ever faster-moving world, a million possible distractions and it is clear why you are stuck.
But there’s a better way. A structured, step-by-step system that removes the guesswork and finally helps you train in a way that leads to real progress.
What if there was a way to study less but better? To achieve more, with less overwhelm? To finally enjoy your games again because instead of fear of losing, you are proud of your training and trust yourself?
How some of the students have transformed their chess
“I should have found you years ago! That would have saved me a lot of money and probably would have gotten me (a lot) more ratings points!”
Gabriël
“Rather than spending endless hard-earned money mindlessly buying the latest chess courses and books, save money and time by going through this course and know exactly what resources are needed to construct the perfect plan to lead you to success.”
Jeff Petersen
“Two months ago I started this course. Result: I started OTB games with a score of 4,5 / 5. My games are more solid, I recognize more patterns (Tactics), I am adapting quicker to a new position, and most of all, I am more confident during the game (I am not afraid anymore of equal positions).”
Tom Bus
“When I sit down to train now, I know exactly what I’m going to work on and I have confidence about the material. Noël has honed in on how to study chess in a way I’ve seen very few do over the years. I am no longer darting from one thing to another. I’ve never been happier with my training.”
Kalea Chapman
“This course is pure gold. With the study plan I created thanks to SCIS (and the confidence I gained to stick with it) I'm working on my game in the ways that matter, and playing much better chess than before.”
Steve Wollkind
“I wholeheartedly recommend The Simplified Chess Improvement System to anyone who is serious about chess. The wealth of knowledge and tips on how to improve is impressive, and I a confident it will significantly enhance my own skills.”
Michael Galow
“This is a terrific course. Noël is both extremely inspirational and extremely concrete and practical in his advice. I've shopped around for years for the right chess training and the right coach, and this seems to be it.”
Mark Pekala
“The Chess Improvement System is an excellent course, with a detailed roadmap for how to set up a personalized training program, and how to study all essential aspects of chess within your training program. The course is comprehensive, and everything is very clearly and enthusiastically explained by GM Studer. It’s a very worthwhile course for chess learners at all levels!”
Santo D'Agostino
“I greatly appreciated and benefitted from Noel's "narrow and focus" approach. It's good for everyone.”
Nick Vasquez
“I have just finished the course, excellent content and perfectly thought through. Thank you so much for creating it Noël. The most important takeaway for me is to keep it simple and to get rid of FOMO.”
Olaf
Why Most Chess Training Doesn't Work (And How To Fix It)
Stop accumalating random knowledge, start improving your skills
If you’ve ever felt like your chess training isn’t leading anywhere, it’s not your fault. The way most of us were taught to learn—both in chess and in school—actually works against us when trying to improve.
Think about it. In school, you crammed facts into your brain, hoping to recall them on an exam. But did you really understand them? Did you retain them long-term? Probably not.
Chess is no different. Many players train by gathering knowledge instead of developing skills—consuming more and more information without ever learning how to apply it.
Does any of the following ring a bell?
- Your Puzzle Rating is high - but you still blunder in games.
- You try to memorize opening lines - but have no idea what to do when your opponents deviate.
- You learn theoretical endgames - but they never even appear on the board.
- You feel comfortable in training - but during a game, you feel nervous and second-guess every single move.
- You know you should analyze your games - but you have no idea how.
Instead of amassing random knowledge about chess, with the Simplified Chess Improvement System, you will steadily build up skills you can use in any single game.
Every single time you'll sit down to train, you will have a clear plan what skill you improve.
Everything you learn also happens in your games.
You will learn less things that don't matter, and instead be able to apply the things that really win you games.
Building Up Skills - One Step at a Time
Skills aren't just randomly acquired, especially for adults with limited time. But here is the good news: if you follow a simple training system, you can acquire the skills that matter.
The Simplified Chess Improvement System teaches you how to follow the three most important factors in chess improvement:
✅ Do What Matters - Leave out the rest
✅ Do It Well - Get the most out of every hour you train chess
✅ Do it Consistently - Stick to a simple routine for long enough
💡 Why Should You Learn From Me?
Hi, I’m Noël Studer, a Grandmaster, coach, and chess improvement expert.
But my path to mastering chess—and helping others improve—was anything but ordinary.
The Unexpected Lesson That Changed My Approach to Chess Training
At 22 years old, I suffered a brain injury that completely changed my life. Suddenly, I couldn’t train for hours like I used to. I had to learn how to improve with only small amounts of focused training time each day—and to my surprise, I actually got better, not worse.
That’s when I realized something critical: Most chess players waste the majority of their training time. They focus on the wrong things, study inefficiently, and don’t know how to turn knowledge into skill.
That's me - after winning the 2019 Swiss Champion Title, while suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury.
💡 What Makes My Training Different?
✅ I’ve helped 1,000+ students inside my courses follow this system and finally see real progress.
✅ Over 16,000 chess players read my newsletter for clear, practical training advice every week.
✅ I designed this system specifically for adult improvers—players who don’t have unlimited time but still want to get better.
✅ I know firsthand how to train efficiently because I had no choice but to figure it out myself.
💡 My Mission: Helping You Train Smarter, Not Harder
I built The Simplified Chess Improvement System to help you train the way I wish I had known earlier—using a step-by-step process that eliminates wasted time and ensures every hour of study actually leads to progress.
Enroll for $297 today and get 4 Bonuses for Free
After April 4th, the price will go up to $397. Enroll before that date to save $100, and get a few bonuses on Top!
When I teach this knowledge to my one-on-one students, they pay me over $3000 for the knowledge in this course.
Instead, you'll get access to the same frameworks, tools, and coaching for a fraction of the price. You'll access 10+ hours of content where I walk you through the Simplified Chess Improvement system.
You'll get:
✅Part 1: The Transformation ($147 value) - A 7-day guided video course to go from being overwhelmed to training the right way
✅Part 2: The Personalization ($147 value)- Step-by-step instructions to build a plan for YOUR needs
✅Part 3: The Steady Improvements ($297 value) - Over 10 Modules teaching you how to get the most out of every minute you spend on chess
What You're Going To Discover When You Enroll Today
The Simplified Chess Improvement System Works in Three Unique Parts
🎯 Part 1: The Transformation – In a week, you go from random training to structured improvement.
🎯 Part 2: The Personalization – Build a plan that fits YOUR needs.
🎯 Part 3: The Steady Improvements – Learn how to study each area of chess, improve your focus, break through plateau's and have fun along the way!
Part 1: The Transformation - From Lost To Mastering The Fundamentals ($147 Value)
In just one week, you’ll go from feeling lost and frustrated to having full control over your chess training. You’ll learn the essential habits, mindset shifts, and training methods that lay the foundation for long-term improvement.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in Part 1:
✅ The Foundations of Chess Success – Discover how to train efficiently, stay consistent, and build lasting habits.
✅ Mastering Your Mindset & Focus – Break free from frustration, train with confidence, and stay motivated even when progress feels slow.
✅ Tactics Done Right – Finally stop blundering and start spotting tactics like a strong player.
✅ Training Games with Focus – Learn how to play and train without distractions to maximize improvement.
✅ The 3 Questions for your Game Analysis – A simple but powerful method to fix mistakes and reinforce strengths after every game.
Part 2: The Personalization - A Training Plan That Fits YOU ($147 Value)
Ever wonder what you should actually focus on to improve? In this part, you’ll create a fully personalized training plan so that every minute you spend studying actually moves the needle. No more wasted time—just efficient, structured improvement.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in Part 2:
✅ Build Your Personalized Training Plan – Design a plan that fits your time, goals, and chess level.
✅ Never Wonder What to Train Again – Learn exactly which areas to focus on to see real progress.
✅ Find the Right Resources – Get hand-picked, high-quality resources that are worth your time.
✅ Adapt & Improve Over Time – Learn how to adjust your plan as you grow, so you never feel stuck again.
Part 3: Steady Improvements - Master The Skills That Matter Most ($297 Value)
This is where the magic happens. In Part 3, you’ll go beyond basic training and master the key areas of chess that lead to real, lasting improvement. You’ll stop wasting time on things that don’t matter and focus on what actually wins games.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in Part 3:
✅ Win the Mind Game – Train your focus, decision-making, and confidence to think like a pro.
✅ Avoid the improvement Killers – Stop wasting time on bad training habits that sabotage your progress.
✅ Fuel Your Chess – Simple strategies for improving energy, mindset, and overall mental performance.
✅ Master Tactical Vision – Your 5 Step Process for Tactical Mastery.
✅ Meaningful Game Analysis – Learn how to make every game you play meaningful and discover your strengths & weaknesses.
✅ The Simplified Opening Repertoire – Build an effective, easy-to-remember opening repertoire that works at your level.
✅ The 5-Hour Endgame Blueprint – How to learn the endgame theory you actually need in under 5 hours.
✅ Unlock Winning Plans – Learn how to play strong, strategic chess without memorization.
You can check out the full curriculum below
Click "show more" to see all videos, text and sections that are in the course
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Ready for real chess improvement?
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Day 1 - Are You Ready To Transform Your Chess?
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Day 1 - The 3 Dos Of the Simplified Chess Improvement System
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Day 1 - The 3 Don'ts Of the Simplfied Chess Improvement System
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Day 1 - How To Break Through Plateaus - And Enjoy Them!
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Day 1 - The Most Important Mindset Shift For Your Chess Success
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Day 1 - What Really Matters for Chess Improvement (One Third Rule)
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Day 1 - Your First Chess Training Week With a Simple Plan
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Day 2 - Your Tactics Test
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Day 2 - Solve Puzzles the Right Way
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Day 2 - Possible Problems When Solving Tactics
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Day 3 - Full Day of Tactics - Mistakes Are Part of the Journey
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Day 4 - How To Fully Focus While Playing Games
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Day 4 - Make Focusing Easy to Play at Your Best
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Day 4 - The Power of Planning Your Games
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Day 5 - The 3 Questions to Analyze Your Games
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Day 5 - Analyzing Your Game - Example 1
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Day 5 - Analyzing Your Game - Example 2
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Day 5 - Analyzing Your Game - Example 3
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Day 6 - Full Day of Chess Training
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Day 7 - One Week of Simplified Chess Training
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Day 7 - The Road Ahead - See You in Part 2!
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Create Your Personal Chess Training Plan!
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The Magic of a Simple but Good Plan
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How Much Time Should You Spend on Chess Training?
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Train When You Are at Your Best
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The Areas You'll Work On
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How To Use This Course Alongside Your Chess Training
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The Three Possible Resource Systems - Pick Yours!
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Video Courses - ChessMood
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A Simple Book Series - The Step Method
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Do It Yourself - Picking High Quality Resources
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Bring It All Together
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Three Example Training Plans
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How To Improve Your Training Every Day
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Could You Do Me A Short Favor?
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It Is Time For Consistent Improvements With Your Plan! - Part 3 Preview
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Your Weekly Review (And Plan For Next Week)
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Your Buffet of Chess Improvement
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How I Won 224 Rating Points with Good Focus
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Create Your Chess Zone
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How to Focus like a Champion
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Taking Breaks To Increase Focus
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Focus Training That Improves Your Chess
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The Simplified Chess Improvement System
- 117 lessons
- 10 hours of video content
Student's Reviews:
The most important chess course you’ll ever take
H K
Chess improvers nowadays have access to tons of great material, and can play a human opponent online at any time. So improvement should be easy, right? Well actually it does not matter what or how much you study, if you do not study the right way ...
Read MoreChess improvers nowadays have access to tons of great material, and can play a human opponent online at any time. So improvement should be easy, right? Well actually it does not matter what or how much you study, if you do not study the right way with the right focus. This course helps you study the right way to get the most out of your study time. And it does it well. Personally due to busy and unpredictable days I find it very challenging to create a very rigid study plan, as the program recommends, but I still find the ideas and principles highly useful. The course has changed the way I study in many important ways. If you are serious about improving, then this course is well worth your time and money.
Read LessPerfect way of start learning chess (or anything)
Yalcin Isler
This excellent course teaches you how to learn and study chess and any subject you are interested in, without any commercial concerns. After completing this course, you will know which books you should read, which courses you should take, and how ...
Read MoreThis excellent course teaches you how to learn and study chess and any subject you are interested in, without any commercial concerns. After completing this course, you will know which books you should read, which courses you should take, and how to study chess. It will help you create a concise study plan for effective learning. It must be your first chess course, in my opinion.
Read LessThis course is my lighthouse
Oliver Christ
It's easy nowadays to get lost in the overwhelming studying material and I got lost. I switched from one source to the other, chased the one secret which will enhance my rating. And then came this course. Somehow it feels supersimple, but now the ...
Read MoreIt's easy nowadays to get lost in the overwhelming studying material and I got lost. I switched from one source to the other, chased the one secret which will enhance my rating. And then came this course. Somehow it feels supersimple, but now the ideas are the core of my training.
Read LessExceptional chess course
Michael Busch
Most chess courses focus on tactics, strategy or openings. This course deals exclusively with how you can train better. Although the course provides recommendations for good training resources, it does not offer any direct chess training. I have ...
Read MoreMost chess courses focus on tactics, strategy or openings. This course deals exclusively with how you can train better. Although the course provides recommendations for good training resources, it does not offer any direct chess training. I have never seen anything like it. For me, a clear recommendation for advanced chess players who want to further improve their game.
Read LessThis Is The Way
Joshua Wood
References to the Mandalorian aside, this course is the way to super charge your chess improvement. Noel gives you the what, the why, and the how necessary for improving your chess. Noel's course gives you a solid structure to use, areas for fo...
Read MoreReferences to the Mandalorian aside, this course is the way to super charge your chess improvement. Noel gives you the what, the why, and the how necessary for improving your chess. Noel's course gives you a solid structure to use, areas for focus, self-evaluation, and refinement. His focus on focus - and the adage "less but better" is evident in the content, in his method and explanations, and this will be the last course you'll ever need on how to improve at chess (with recommendations on excellent resources to study as well)!
Read LessAmazing course!
Sandro Batista
Very helpful in teaching ways to increase chess learning and performance. More than that, the course helps in lots of ways that even a non chess player would find real value in watching the videos.
Very helpful in teaching ways to increase chess learning and performance. More than that, the course helps in lots of ways that even a non chess player would find real value in watching the videos.
Read LessStudy chess smarter, not harder
Zee Zop
Noel has done an outstanding job of sharing his experience and valuable methods. By following this course, you can expect not only to improve your chess skills but also to progress much faster than ever before. Well worth its price, the course als...
Read MoreNoel has done an outstanding job of sharing his experience and valuable methods. By following this course, you can expect not only to improve your chess skills but also to progress much faster than ever before. Well worth its price, the course also includes access to a dedicated Discord channel for members, where Noel is active and provides grandmaster advice directly.
Read LessTransform your Chess by joining Today
But that's not all... you'll also get instant access to these fantastic bonuses valued $699
BONUS #1: Lifetime Access ($150 value)
Buy once - come back for Life. No recurring payments or hidden extra costs.
BONUS #2: Private Community Access ($300 value)
Have questions, need help or want support? You'll get all of that in our private community. And you'll be surrounded by like-minded Chess enthusiasts who'll support you every step of the way.
BONUS #3: 1-Month ChessMood Membership * ($99)
Chessmood is my favorite chess learning platform and one of the recommended, high-quality resources. Thanks to this 1-month free membership you can check out their amazing courses without any costs. You'll also get access to a mini course I filmed for them about my 10 most interesting games.
*Bonus only valid if you aren't already a ChessMood Student.
BONUS #4: Free Course Updates ($150)
Instead of upselling you to another course, I'll give you all the updates to this course for Free - for Life. Get Future additions, such as Module on Time Trouble and Thought Process, for Free!
Enrolling Today You'll Get
Offer valid only until April 4th, 2025. Afterwards, the prize goes up to $397.
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Core Course Content
$591 valueA three-part course with more than 10 hours of video lessons, Summaries & PDF sheets.
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Community Access, Lifetime Access, Frequent Updates & a Free Month on ChessMood
$699 valueExplain the value your additional content will bring to a student's overall learning experience. Use this opportunity to sell potential students on the extra benefits your bonus material provides.
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Extra Bonus Q&A's
$150 ValueFor everyone joining until April 4th, I will also organize three Q&A sessions. If you are getting stuck, have questions, or would like a deeper insight into your personal situation, these Q&A sessions will solve all your issues.
Still unsure? You Can Try The Course Risk Free!
14-Day No-Questions-Asked Money-Back Guarantee
My biggest goal is happy students. That's why you can try the course risk-free. If you don't love it, I'll refund you 100%. Just email me within 14 days at [email protected], and you'll get a full refund!
FAQ
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Who is this for?
For ambitious adult chess improvers. I have not indicated a clear rating range, as this system works both for me, my 1:1 students and 800+ course students of all different levels. You'll get the most out of it rated between 1000-2200.
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How much does it cost?
A one-time payment of $297 to get lifetime access and 3 bonuses on top of it.
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If I don't like it, can I request a refund?
Yes. The course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. Within those 14 days, if you don't like the course, email me at [email protected] and we'll refund your enrollment fee. No exceptions for later requests.
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Are there any hidden costs or ongoing charges?
No! Just buy this course once and get lifetime access and fresh content updates. If needed, you can also access the course using a simple payment plan.
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How much money do I need to spend on recommended resources?
For every recommendation, there are choices to fit every budget. If you want to keep things low-cost, you can train using free tools and 2-3 high-quality books ($5-25 apiece). The right resources don’t have to be expensive!
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Can I buy this course as a Gift?
Yes, you can. Simply check the "send as a gift" option at checkout, and add their name + email, and you are good to go. I'm sure the lucky recipient will appreciate your gift!
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What is the format of this course?
This is a video-based course. You will also find text passages to simplify, checking back for recommendations and further explanations. Additionally, you can download some checklists to make the implementation easier.
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How much time should I dedicate to this?
The videos are ~10 hours. If you go through everything carefully, take notes, and create your own plans, you will have around 15 hours to go through the course. That's 1 hour a day for 2 weeks, or quicker if you wish to spend more time daily.
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How long will it take for me to see results?
As soon as you implement the new methods into your daily training, you will feel a difference in motivation and clarity. When you stay consistent in your training, you should feel a difference in your skills and playing strength after 30 days. From then on, the results start compounding.