Why Am I So Terrible at Puzzles?

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NovitiateOne
All good advices. I wish I can give you a better one. But even after following all those advices, we will come to realize that everyone has their own limit. You will come to the point that you cannot progress any further without changing your lifestyle and schedule, like devoting extra time to learning chess. You will then ask yourself, “is it worth it?” Should you spend extra hours reading chess book, or is it better and more enjoyable to just hang out with real friends and drink beer, or chase ladies on the beach?

You were struggling to reach 1000, I struggled to reach 2000, had worked on that all weekend. And I think I already reached my limit. The requirement and stress is the same at all level. Experts who are working on their NM title, FMs who are struggling to make IM, and IM who struggles to make GM. Most of them will not live to realize their goal.

Chess is just like any other sports. You are supposed to have fun. A 3000 rating here will not pay bill or bring dinner to our dining table. It’s not even a bragging right as we are all strangers to each other. Who really cares other than our own selves? If we are no longer having fun, then maybe we should consider other option.

But continue challenging yourself, until you reached your limit. Different strokes for different folks. And relax and enjoy. Ignore what others are thinking. You don’t know them, and they don’t know you. Our biggest critique is always ourseves. And most of the time, we are harder on ourselves.
OpenSquirrel
Don’t worry about the target time if you want to improve in puzzles. Take as long as you need, still 5 points for a solved puzzle even if it takes you all day. Best to learn slowly then you’ll find yourself doing harder puzzles quickly with practice
Treewhispering2017

I've tried a couple puzzles. The only info I get is which color moves. No objective is given. My objective is to win. how are we supposed to try and understand the puzzle if no objective is given. I've watch an instructor from the St Louis chess club. He gives the objective.

theferp00
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redapplesonly
NovitiateOne wrote:
All good advices. I wish I can give you a better one. But even after following all those advices, we will come to realize that everyone has their own limit. You will come to the point that you cannot progress any further without changing your lifestyle and schedule, like devoting extra time to learning chess. You will then ask yourself, “is it worth it?” Should you spend extra hours reading chess book, or is it better and more enjoyable to just hang out with real friends and drink beer, or chase ladies on the beach?

You were struggling to reach 1000, I struggled to reach 2000, had worked on that all weekend. And I think I already reached my limit. The requirement and stress is the same at all level. Experts who are working on their NM title, FMs who are struggling to make IM, and IM who struggles to make GM. Most of them will not live to realize their goal.

Chess is just like any other sports. You are supposed to have fun. A 3000 rating here will not pay bill or bring dinner to our dining table. It’s not even a bragging right as we are all strangers to each other. Who really cares other than our own selves? If we are no longer having fun, then maybe we should consider other option.

But continue challenging yourself, until you reached your limit. Different strokes for different folks. And relax and enjoy. Ignore what others are thinking. You don’t know them, and they don’t know you. Our biggest critique is always ourseves. And most of the time, we are harder on ourselves.

Excellent advice.  I really like your laidback, yet serious, approach to chess.  Whenever I lose a game or blow a puzzle, its so easy to feel stupid or like I'm not being serious enough.  Wish I had more of your chill attitude!  happy.png