19 Dec 05
I continually hear that the surest way for a relative beginner to make improvements is by studying tactics. However, it's not at all clear to me what this really entails. I know all about forks, pins, skewers, combinations, etc., and don't have much trouble spotting them on the board one or two moves away. How does one "study" these tactics though? Is it just a matter of drilling through "mate in 4" type problems ad nauseum, until your brain gets adept at spotting these patterns? What's really the essence of improving at tactics?
19 Dec 05
2 edits
Originally posted by vmc303go to
I continually hear that the surest way for a relative beginner to make improvements is by studying tactics. However, it's not at all clear to me what this really entails. I know all about forks, pins, skewers, combinations, etc., and don't have much trouble spotting them on the board one or two moves away. How does one "study" these tactics though? Is it ...[text shortened]... brain gets adept at spotting these patterns? What's really the essence of improving at tactics?
www.chesstactics.org
it works great. theyve got a bunch of tutorials to help you study tactics, which are the most important parts of the game. GM's say up to 2400 tactics are the most important things, because thats how you gain material. not until after 2401 is opening study,placement, strategy, end game, and become of importance. As in the words of michael de la maza who gained 700 rating points in 2 1/4 years as an adult " i got a chess program and made 2 people. One had an infinite knowledge of tactics but no strategy or placement. the other was the exact opposite, with no tactical ability but infinite knowledge of placement and strategy. when playing against each other tactics beat out strategy and placement 100% of the time,"
-trallphaz😉
19 Dec 05
Originally posted by trallphazI think you got your numbers mixed up. Tactics are important but you better start studying endgames and openings if you wanna get to 2000 or beyond that.
go to
www.chesstactics.org
it works great. theyve got a bunch of tutorials to help you study tactics, which are the most important parts of the game. GM's say up to 2400 tactics are the most important things, because thats how you gain material. not until after 2401 is opening study,placement, strategy, end game, and become of importance. As in the w ...[text shortened]... ing against each other tactics beat out strategy and placement 100% of the time,"
-trallphaz😉
19 Dec 05
Originally posted by trallphazI read through most of this site, and I'm honestly still not quite clear how it's supposed to help me. Like most of the other tactical tutorials I've seen, it basically amounts to demonstrations of pins, forks, discovered attacks, etc. This is probably helpful for a rank beginner, but I'm quite familiar with all these tactics and have used them before in many games. My problem isn't spotting a pin or a fork from a move away when my opponent has blatantly overlooked it, but spotting it from 5 or 6 moves away, and actively creating these situations.
go to
www.chesstactics.org
19 Dec 05
1 edit
Originally posted by vmc303then I think chess tactics server might be just what you're looking for.
...My problem isn't spotting a pin or a fork from a move away when my opponent has blatantly overlooked it, but spotting it from 5 or 6 moves away, and actively creating these situations.
http://chess.emrald.net/index.php
edit: oh, and after checking your rating graph, I strongly suggest you don't have basic motifs down 'cold'. 6 move combinations are not the reason why 1200-players lose, failing to see 1 move Q+K forks etc. are. and they will be an issue a lot higher too, my rooks got forked only 2 days ago, and last week a 1680 opponent dropped his queen.
19 Dec 05
Originally posted by wormwoodi have a problem with the time factor at that site, you only get a few seconds in which to solve the tactic which is fine for bullet chess but damaging for correspondence style chess. There's no time to fully analyse each position.
then I think chess tactics server might be just what you're looking for.
http://chess.emrald.net/index.php
19 Dec 05
Originally posted by e4 effortit's not for drilling strategic thinking, it's for drilling tactics. to imprint the tactical motifs into your spine so hard you don't have to calculate them. that means the time is an issue. and quantity.
i have a problem with the time factor at that site, you only get a few seconds in which to solve the tactic which is fine for bullet chess but damaging for correspondence style chess. There's no time to fully analyse each position.
also, don't move faster than you can get it right. guessing is the problem, not the short time factor. there's nothing keeping you from doing them slow but you yourself. the rating of your problems will adjust automatically so that you actually can see the correct solution in time. rushing it is bad. don't blitz, but don't lose focus either.
19 Dec 05
Originally posted by vmc303I've learned at least 2 things on there, and I wouldn't rate myself as a rank beginner. 1 of these things being how to engineer a pawn fork.
I read through most of this site, and I'm honestly still not quite clear how it's supposed to help me. Like most of the other tactical tutorials I've seen, it basically amounts to demonstrations of pins, forks, discovered attacks, etc. This is probably helpful for a rank beginner, but I'm quite familiar with all these tactics and have used them before in ...[text shortened]... y overlooked it, but spotting it from 5 or 6 moves away, and actively creating these situations.
If you read it through, rather than just skimming the pages, then you'll see that it's an excellent site for all levels.
D
20 Dec 05
Is it just a matter of drilling through "mate in 4" type problems ad nauseum, until your brain gets adept at spotting these patterns? What's really the essence of improving at tactics?Answer to question 1.."Yes"
Answer to question 2...in his book "Search for Chess Perfection" Purdy says you should answer the following questions when looking for a combination at every move....
1- Geometrical motif's: pieces on same line, pins, forks, unprotected pieces.
2- Confined pieces: pieces with few or no retreat squares
3- Motif of function: any pieces with more than one defensive task.
4- All checks
Any combination will be based on one of the above. Usually there won't be a combination, but doing the above will help you spot them if they're lurking in the position.
20 Dec 05
Originally posted by vmc303tons of people on this web site think that one works so its your personal preference then.🙂
I read through most of this site, and I'm honestly still not quite clear how it's supposed to help me. Like most of the other tactical tutorials I've seen, it basically amounts to demonstrations of pins, forks, discovered attacks, etc. This is probably helpful for a rank beginner, but I'm quite familiar with all these tactics and have used them before in ...[text shortened]... y overlooked it, but spotting it from 5 or 6 moves away, and actively creating these situations.