tactics

so what tactic book is your favorite?  I started to begin moving backwards in my tactics trainer rating and believe its time once again to look at tactics in a more organized approach.  I liked Dan Heisman's book, but interested in hearing what else is out there...

Here's one I like. The Chess Tactics Workbook

http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Workbook-Al-Woolum/dp/0965906701/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361425303&sr=1-11&keywords=chess+tactics

This one too. It's based on a point system (correct answers get points). You have to find the correct move, why is it correct, and name the tactic

http://www.amazon.com/Pandolfinis-Chess-Challenges-Winning-Endgames/dp/0375722068/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361425536&sr=1-7&keywords=bruce+pandolfini+chess+books

there are basically two types of tactics books, ones which try to teach the different motifs and then give exercises to solves and then there are big books just full of exercises. which are you after?

for teaching ones i like learn chess tactics by john nunn. it's a lot like the heisman book but a bit more advanced. understanding chess tactics by martin whatshisface is good too.

as for big books of exercises there are the two richard palliser complete chess workout books, anatoly lein's classic sharpen your tactics and informant have just put out a new edition of the encyclopedia of chess combinations.

Chess Tactics from Scratch by Martin Weteschnik.

http://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Scratch-2nd-Understanding/dp/1907982027

Examples from games, then a set of exercises, by topic.

why that one rather than simply "understanding chess tactics"? i always wondered what the difference between the two books was.

-edit- oh it just looks like an updated version. ok

i think convekta ct art and convekta encyclopedia of combinations is pretty cool. 

Yeah actually 'Understanding Chess Tactics' was the one I read, but I figured the updated version would probably be better.

what about preditor at the chessboard?  i sumbled on his website last night and started reading.  He's pretty wordy, but I like what he's saying...  any good?

Yeah that's a great website, but more basic than most books (some harder tactics too). If you're still finding the positions challenging enough and don't know them well, then absolutely read that website.

Bronco, just curious - why do you like these books over other tactic books? 

I saw it recommended on Dan Heisman's website

http://danheisman.home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm

And a chess coach at a local club suggested it. It gets progressively tougher as you go.

FYI it is NOT very wordy at all. It's mostly just tactics puzzles. 6 per page.

Moyuba (or anyone else) - how did you like Nunn's book Learn Chess Tactics?  Can you go a little more in depth on how this book stacks up to Heisman's?  I'm re-reading Heisman and still getting some good things out of it, but I think a new perspective might be useful to make perminent the patterns and concepts in my memory and challenge me a little more.  I found a sample chapter of Nunn's book and believe this is pretty much what I want.  Nunn appears to be speaking to a slightly more advanced audience.  Unfortunately, this sample chapter does not tell me how many puzzles are provided in each chapter or the difficulty of said puzzles.  As always, your helpful comments are appreciated

something's real messed up with my computer (technical assistance from staff is not going to help so don't bother). I wish I could use tactics trainer like everyone else.