How to rate tactical problems

So I currently am making a bunch of tactical problems. Some I take from my OTB and correspondence games some I compose myself.

Generally the problems are quite easy and mostly can be solved by using general devices such as double attacks, removing the defender, skewer attack, etc. To give you an example of what I am talking about here are a few of the problems.

White to move


I will make at least 500 of these, for beginners and lets say class E players (right now I am at 40 problems).
I thought it would be an good idea to use a type of star-rating for the difficulty level, with a single star for mate in 1 up to 3or 4 stars for more difficult ones. However I find it extremely hard to rate the problems. Since I make them, I have a kind of blind spot on their difficulty level. Any advice?

Edits:
FEN-stuff

Fen2


Black to move

Fen 3

White to move

"Difficulty" is mostly a matter of perception. I would rate these three above very easy, but someone else with a similar rating might find these quite difficult. Have you worked through the Dutch stappenmethode (http://www.stappenmethode.nl/)? I usually refer to some trick used in a game as "not higher than step three level". Also the Chess Tactics Server gives problems numerical ratings to reflect how "difficult" they are perceived. (http://chess.emrald.net/). Same goes for http://www.chesstempo.com/

Hi MetBierOp,

I suppose one thing you could do to begin with is separate them into '# of moves until the win is clear'.

Alternatively, or in addition, you could award points for each part of the correct solution. This may give you a basis for how then to grade them in order of difficulty!?

Probably someone will come up with a clearer idea, but hope this helps you a little. Good luck : )

Originally posted by heinzkat
"Difficulty" is mostly a matter of perception. I would rate these three above very easy, but someone else with a similar rating might find these quite difficult. Have you worked through the Dutch stappenmethode (http://www.stappenmethode.nl/)? I usually refer to some trick used in a game as "not higher than step three level". Also the Chess Tactics Server g ...[text shortened]... " they are perceived. (http://chess.emrald.net/). Same goes for http://www.chesstempo.com/

thx for the links. Yes I have worked through the first four steps. That still leaves step 5 and 6 though 🙂

Originally posted by streetfighter
Hi MetBierOp,

I suppose one thing you could do to begin with is separate them into '# of moves until the win is clear'.

Alternatively, or in addition, you could award points for each part of the correct solution. This may give you a basis for how then to grade them in order of difficulty!?

Probably someone will come up with a clearer idea, but hope this helps you a little. Good luck : )

Thx, I will give it a try