Originally posted by bassoI dont have the Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book, so I don't know how difficult the problems are. How many moves are the solutions that you're having trouble with? I have the polgar book and if you need to practice mate in 1, mate in 2, or mate in 3, it is perfect for you.
I am fairly new to tactics practice and am currently working my way through "The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book" by John Emms. I am finding this book to be rather difficult. Would I be better off tackling Polgar's 5,334 Problems or some other tactics book? Thanks.
The Emms book is an excellent book and it is divided into chapters based on the level of difficulty. I'd suggest that you not move on to new chapters until you have a firm grasp on the previous ones. The first set of problems is not too difficult, and if you are having problems with those your best bet is to keep plugging away, they are about as basic as tactics get.
Well, I just got Polgar's 5334 Chess Problems. Kind of a big book, no? Anyway, it's a hell of a lot easier than Emms' book. I sailed through the first thirty problems in just a few minutes. I would stare at just one of Emms' problems for minutes at a time, often not solving the problem in the end. Polgar's easy approach is sure a lot more fun. Now I am wondering which one will prove to be the more valuable. I'm thinking Polgar now, Emms later.