How to improve at tactics

Other than giving yourself a headache trying puzzles, what are good suggestions for how to improve tactical vision ?

I some what liken this to chosing candidate moves first and then the best move afterward, but the time crunch of tactics trainer makes this process a bit muddled, for those who haven't really learned it properly yet.

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As a diamond member with access to the Chess Mentor, maybe try some of the dozens of tactics courses.  No timer, no real pressure.  I've done them all I think (and reviewed most several times).  Has it helped with the TT?  I fold under the time pressure so not as much as I had hoped but my "game" vision has certainly improved.

You're probably familiar with Coach Heisman's theory on learning tactics.  He is a strong believer in getting basic tactical motifs down as soundly as you know the multiplication tables.   Sure you can figure things out in the same way that you can add 6 to itself 7 times, but it's easier to learn the multiplication tables in math (6x7) and basic pattern recognition in chess means you should almost instantly see simple tactics.  Coach likes Bain's book Chess Tactics for Students but there is no reason the same process can't be done more efficiently with the Chess Mentor.  You also have the option to "pick your poison" and choose to work on specific tactical motifs.  Try a few courses; at least it's a change from the TT.  Hope it helps...

A dozen tactics per day?????  I guess it would help....the more you practice the better

Check out the selected TT on my link below:
http://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/nice-tactics

Do tactics slowly. You can disable the timer on tactics trainer and just work through the puzzles without the timer pressure.

Personally, the Tactics Trainer here was the main reason I got myself a paid account, but after doing the puzzles here, I have to say I don't think it can improve your tactical ability much, with that timer on. The timer encourages guesswork and wishy washy calculation.

Play over tons of games from books frequently especially minature books packed with all kinds of tactics and traps on a set with a clock time yourself.

Suggested..........

1000 Best Short Games of Chess by Chernev

http://www.amazon.com/1000-Best-Short-Games-Chess/dp/4871875741/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387374103&sr=1-1&keywords=1000+best+short+games+of+chess

500 Master Games of Chess by J.Dumont:

http://www.amazon.ca/500-Master-Games-Chess-Mont/dp/0486232085/ref=pd_sim_b_7

My Best Games of Chess by Alexander Alekhine:

http://www.amazon.ca/My-Best-Games-Chess-1908-1937/dp/193649065X/ref=pd_sim_b_2

1000 Minature Chess Traps by Andras Mezaros

http://www.newinchess.com/1000_Miniature_Chess_Traps-p-1742.html

NEZHMETDINOVS-Best-Games-Of-Chess

http://www.amazon.com/NEZHMETDINOVS-Best-Games-Of-Chess/dp/0939433559/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1387375014&sr=8-3&keywords=rashid+chess

The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal:

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Games-Mikhail-Tal/dp/1857442024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387375218&sr=8-1&keywords=the+life+and+games+of+mikhail+tal

The Chess Games of Adolph Anderssen:

http://www.chesscentral.com/Chess_Games_of_Adolph_Anderssen_p/301517.htm

I was wondering how to improve on tactics too, thanks!