How to Solve Chess Puzzles and Tactics Correctly

Chess puzzles help players spot tactical ideas during real games. By solving puzzles regularly, you train your brain to recognize these patterns faster. This leads to fewer blunders and stronger play.

Solving puzzles helps you:

• improve tactical awareness

• enhance calculation skills

• develop pattern recognition

• boost problem-solving abilities

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Steps to Solve Chess Puzzles Correctly

1. Spot Tactical Motifs

• Undefended pieces
• X-rays
• Pieces lined up
• Weak king

2. Consider Candidate Moves (Focus on Checks, Captures, and Threats)

Before calculating, look at all possible checks, captures, and threats. These moves are usually the key to finding the right tactic. 

3. Calculate all lines

Now comes the most important step: calculate the full sequence beforemaking a move. If you did the first two steps correctly, finding the right move becomes much easier.

• Consider all possible replies from your opponent

• Look for forcing moves (Checks, Captures, Threats)

• Go through different variations in your head without moving the pieces – in a real game, you can't move them before deciding. You must know the full solution before making a move.

4. Name the tactics

Before playing your move, say the name of the tactic. This helps you remember it and recognize similar patterns in future games.

5. Check the solution

Tips for Solving Puzzles Effectively

• Start with easy puzzles
• Use a real chessboard if needed (vision in online chess and OTB is different)
• Set a time limit
• Increase difficulty step by step
• Review mistakes and learn from them

At first, this method may feel slow, but with practice, your brain will process these steps faster. Over time, you’ll solve puzzles more easily and improve your overall chess skills.

Practical Example 1

1. Tactical Motifs – White’s king is weak, the rook is on the 2nd rank, and both bishops are aiming at the king.
2. Candidate Moves (Checks, Captures, Threats) – The key moves to consider are Rxc2 and Bxc2.
3. Calculation –

• 1... Bxc2 2. Qxc3 → White is winning.
• 1... Rxc2 2. Kb1 Rb2 3. Ka1 (or Kc1) Rb1# → Checkmate.

4. Name Tactics – Discovered attack & double check.
5. Check the Solution – Correct! ✅

Practical Example 2

1. Tactical Motifs – White’s king is weak, the rook is on the 2nd rank, and Black's king is very active.
2. Candidate Moves (Checks, Captures, Threats) – The key moves to consider are Rxg4 and Rc1.
3. Calculation –

• 1... Rxg4 2. Rd5 Ke3 3. Nd1 → Discovered attack, and Black loses.
• 1... Rc1 2. Nd1 Rf1 3. Kxf1 Rxd1 4. Kg2 → The king escapes, and White wins.
• 1... Rc1 2. Nd1 Rxd1 3. Kxd1 Rf1# → Checkmate.

4. Name Tactics – Sacrifice with a back-rank checkmate.
5. Check the Solution – Correct! ✅

Check out my video on "How to solve chess puzzle correctly"