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How to solve chess combinations ?

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ChristopherYoo
t-ram87 wrote:

For example can you solve this one by looking threats, checks, captures

 

The puzzle you posted is in the Advanced section of the "Annihilation of Defence" chapter in the 5th edition of ECC.  Have you tried tackling the Intermediate puzzles?  How do you do on them?

Omega_Doom

This sacrifice is real which is hardly possible to calculate till the end. Usually such sacrifices are very diffcult to find especially in short time control. It's advanced level for sure and i doubt it's possible to go to it easily.

Pulpofeira

#39: not full rook. Exchange, and winning a pawn.

MSC157

#34: If it exists... :P

t-ram87
yyoochess wrote:
t-ram87 wrote:

My question is clear, it is always said that to improve your calculation and tactical vision solve lots of combinations, but how to solve them.

I started solving encyclopedia of chess combinations today, in 10 hours of work i solved 9 and only 2 of them were correct, another 2 of them were partial.

The ECC has some really difficult positions. Which edition of the ECC do you have?  The latest, the 5th, has graded problems:  basic, intermediate, and advanced.  The older editions didn't have the grades.  My son is nearly 2500-rated on Tactics Trainer and he finds some of the intermediate puzzles in the 5th edition very tough.  I imagine the advanced puzzles might give GMs trouble.

4th edition i have, i think i should warm-up by finishing an intermediate level combination book first

I_Am_Second
t-ram87 wrote:

My question is clear, it is always said that to improve your calculation and tactical vision solve lots of combinations, but how to solve them.

I started solving encyclopedia of chess combinations today, in 10 hours of work i solved 9 and only 2 of them were correct, another 2 of them were partial.

Lagomorph put it perfectly.  Look for forcing moves - Checks, captures, threats.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

#39: not full rook. Exchange, and winning a pawn.

1.Rxf6 Exchange sacrifice + 3.Nxf7 Piece sacrifice = Rook down for pawn

Pulpofeira

But you said "even if the bishop is lost". That's what's I'm referring to.

t-ram87
yyoochess wrote:
t-ram87 wrote:

For example can you solve this one by looking threats, checks, captures

 

The puzzle you posted is in the Advanced section of the "Annihilation of Defence" chapter in the 5th edition of ECC.  Have you tried tackling the Intermediate puzzles?  How do you do on them?

I found an used 4th edition for free. It wasnt graded by difficulties, and it was only 10th question. So i have no info about difficulty levels.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

But you said "even if the bishop is lost". That's what's I'm referring to.

Yeah then it is exchange for pawn, but can we think it as a winning advantage ? By the way i bought the book you adviced. I only found 1a 1b and 3 books, 1a and 1b was so easy to think about so bought 3rd book, i am not sure if i should start book 2 or 3 but since i couldnt find 2nd book in local bookstore , chosen 3.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

Well, even I see how to continue that. Maybe tactic trainer is not very accomplished. I don't know about ECC, but Ivaschenko's Manual of Chess Combinations is very recommendable IMHO. It has four books/levels, from beginner to CM.

It is 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4 here. Since 4 is endgame book (i already have) I believe you told 1a, 1b, 2, and 3 as 4 levels  ? I bought last combination one (no.3)

Pulpofeira

According to the author, 2nd book is recommended to a 1600-1700 FIDE rated player and should raise your rating to 200 points more once assimilated. 3rd book, from 1900 to 2100-2200. But who knows, I think it can be taken as a guide to choose what one fits on you, though. Surely you'll find it soon.

Pulpofeira

Yes, you are right, I forgot to mention 1a and 1b are edited in two different volumes, so there are 5 at the end.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

According to the author, 2nd book is recommended to a 1600-1700 FIDE rated player and should raise your rating to 200 points more once assimilated. 3rd book, from 1900 to 2100-2200. But who knows, I think it can be taken as a guide to choose what one fits on you, though. Surely you'll find it soon.

I had gained 1200-1300 and a bad tournament 2 years ago but now its sth like 1570 elo, my best win against 2000, and i have good ratio against 1800+ but i am not sure what is my actual strentgh. I expect something like 1700 since its level i am most comfortable against. But i perform better at solving compared to actual games because sometimes i play impulsive moves cost me points.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

Yes, you are right, I forgot to mention 1a and 1b are edited in two different volumes, so there are 5 at the end.

last book is endgame book so only 4 books about combinations :)

Pulpofeira

I think solving problems is a different business, but still a very good exercise. Most of the puzzles in 3rd volume are taken from real games.

t-ram87
Pulpofeira wrote:

I think solving problems is a different business, but still a very good exercise. Most of the puzzles in 3rd volume are taken from real games.

So far i got 3, at first one i couldnt found correct candidate move, calculated another promising line, after 10 minutes of calculation (and i was 10 move deep with nothing) i became suspicious about my first move and seen the solution to end instantly, next 2 were easy, 4th seems easy but still couldnt get that down.

If we talk about usefullness, since i started learning chess with endgames 22 years ago, i am better at feeling nuances and crafting plans compared to calculation itself, and i can say i feel the benefit of solving puzzles very much (unfortunately i cant say the same for timed questions like tactics trainer, since mostly i see or guess, only calculate ones with long time allowance)

If you work on your weaknesses you benefit more :) I dont believe anyone can be strong player just by concentrating on 1 aspects of game, but everybody have different weakness so i can improve by practising calculation but you might better analyze some grandmaster games, another should better try to understand nuances between different pawn structures etc. :)

tomy_gun

the beginning is difficult but to really learn you must play slow, very slow chess trying to implement the tactics, always keeping in mind that they are there somwhere hidden.