Mixing up the themes is the only realistic way to improve your ability to see different tactics in games.
If you selected back rank mate as as theme, for example, how challenging would it be?
You would have to throw out the Tactics Trainer ratings, since knowing the problem theme in advance is such a big hint.
The theme is back ranked mate today. Here is problem #1:
While I agree with you to a point, when you play, you generally know what the position calls for ahead of time, far more than a puzzle you have been blindly thrust into solving and yet, the requirements to solve the mystery in your game can be a daunting challenge, just like in puzzles.
I am willing to bet if I told you themes of certain puzzles, you'd still fail them, if not atleast by the timer. In fact, when I fail a puzzle, I usually try it again, without looking at the tags, them if I still can't figure it out, I use the tags. I have often found myself still getting frustrated, hitting the solution button and then after being told the right move, have to pull up an analysis board to undestand why that is the right move. Adding the feature of puzzles by theme, unrated, would be great addition in my opinion.
Chesstempo.com has that feature, but I think it's for gold members only. Well worth the price imo.
Chesstempo.com has that feature, but I think it's for gold members only. Well worth the price imo.
Considering I pay for a diamond here, I was hoping I could enjoy it too...
Thanks a lot for the responses guys, I was particularly looking for this feature as I'm still fail new to chess and axel smith suggested in 'pump up your rating' that tactics be studied by thematically and systematically until solving them becomes second nature. When one is comfortable at doing this, they are then mixed in together. Supposedly this is a very good way at improving ches vision, practice makes perfect kind of thing
I thought of another thing I'd like to see available in the Tactics Trainer. I would love to see the ability to enter either an opening or a defense, that has positions associated with it, in the T.T. In this way I think it would be easier to pick up on themes, traps, mistakes, etc, that are more likely to occur in your own games, ass opposed to just random positions.
Again, this feature is available as described on chesstempo.com.
Again, this feature is available as described on chesstempo.com.
Thanks, but I don't wish to pay for a second membership or change sites.
Again, this feature is available as described on chesstempo.com.
Thanks, but I don't wish to pay for a second membership or change sites.
Do what I did. Admit that paying for a membership @ chess.com was a mistake and move to a better server.
Again, this feature is available as described on chesstempo.com.
Thanks, but I don't wish to pay for a second membership or change sites.
Do what I did. Admit that paying for a membership @ chess.com was a mistake and move to a better server.
While I suppose it is possible that if I invested the required sums I may find a server I like better but, from what I have seen, this one seems to be the most user friendly. It is certainly the most social. I think I would be simply trading one set of problems for another. I have considered downgrading this membership though to get Chessbase, for their database. Considering I play correspondence almost exclusively, having access to it would be a plus.
Chess Tempo is very social and the atmosphere is more serious. Chess.com is full of kids, trolls and cheaters.
Chessbase is a nice resource. If you want to save some $$, you can go with this database:
http://www.hoflink.com/~npollock/chess.html
It's used as a basis for the TCEC opening books.
Chess Tempo is very social and the atmosphere is more serious. Chess.com is full of kids, trolls and cheaters.
Chessbase is a nice resource. If you want to save some $$, you can go with this database:
http://www.hoflink.com/~npollock/chess.html
It's used as a basis for the TCEC opening books.
Thanks for the tip. I have an opening book from a bin file of 2006 gm already. I am checking out the :
40H-PGN Utility Suite (Windows)
not sure if the java version is more light weight or not....
I'd also like to see thermatic settings for the TT. Learning & recognizing set ups for Forks, Pins, Skewers, etc would be good tactcal skills at my level. Not that I want to leave the other undone, but being able to practice a particular skill set during a session would be great.
Yes theme based tactics solving is better than mixed or jumbled up.
Lucas chess, a free software has some 2000 theme based tactics for intermediate players.Look for uwe auerswald in training positions.
There can be free and premium websites.For example iliya smirin gives trial offer to his site http://www.chessebook.com/abo.php
Endnote is in my opionion tactics books are unmatched trainer.We should be able solve the same tactics one year later.If we cant then it was waste of time .I am gonna buy the big tactics book by polgar soon and that's enough study material for more than one year,
Hello,
Firstly, I apologise if I've posed this question on the wrong board, I'm relatively new here and is my first time posting!
I'm looking for an online tactics trainer/puzzle solver that can be filtered to only serve certain types of tactics (ie you could choose forks, pins, discovered attacks etc, or ideally even more specific dimensions such as bishop forks or rook forks. I feel drilling one motif until noticing the telltale signs are almost subconscious is a good training method but have yet to find a website with this feature.
Can you tell me if any of you are aware of such a site?
As an aside, I am only a few months into playing chess and have become obsessed, what an incredible game of endless possibilities! Thanks in advance, all the best to you all