Which Method Is Better for Improving

A long time ago, I bought a massive book filled with chess problems like "white to mate in one" or "white to mate in two," etc. However, in my recent determination to gradually get better at chess, I have begun to wonder which is better for improving my game...looking at scenario problems (white to mate in x moves) or to go back through old games that I have lost?

right now I am going through old Master Class games. And going over my own. don't really know how much good it is doing since i just started a couple of weeks ago.

Originally posted by wittywonka
A long time ago, I bought a massive book filled with chess problems like "white to mate in one" or "white to mate in two," etc. However, in my recent determination to gradually get better at chess, I have begun to wonder which is better for improving my game...looking at scenario problems (white to mate in x moves) or to go back through old games that I have lost?

Both!

But instead of going over mate in X problems,

I strongly strongly recommend you solve combinational and tactical puzzles instead of checkmate puzzles.

You can find a great set of them online without solution.

Reinfield 1001 combinations and sacs. The best puzzles I have ever solved.

www.chessville.com, go to downloads and tactics and get them there. The get a chess program and let it solve the problem when you need the solution.

I'm working on them right now, and compared to all the tactical puzzles I've done, this is the best collection in my mind.

About a year ago or so I heard the great Kasparov say on the Charlie Rose show, 'The only way to improve in chess is to analyse one's games.' That may be a bit of a hyperbolic statement, but nevertheless, he did say it.