Puzzles Coach

I would definitely do that... if I wanted to make it as a house cleaner.

If you post a puzzle that you were unable to solve, I bet a lot of guys will help. Just for fun.

If you cannot find someone, then a suggestion could be to go back after a missed puzzle, use the hint/move option and then start asking what does that move accomplish compared to what you wanted to do? I think the puzzles also have an analysis feature to see critical lines.

Usually the more obscure puzzles seem to involve cutting off a group of squares, or deflecting a piece that is protecting a square or another piece etc.

Sometimes the answer lies in the puzzle set up.

For example, if one side has 6 major pieces and you are solving the side that only has 4 major pieces, then typically either there is a forced mate (so look for every initial check), or some mega sequence that allows you to capture a net gain so that you end up a piece ahead.

As another example, if the other side would have a forced mate pattern if they were allowed to move, then chances are every move in your sequence needs to be a check leading to mate OR leading to the removal of one of the pieces that could deliver the mate.

Another thing that pops up in the higher rated puzzles is that sometimes the *seemingly obvious move* is not correct. In other words let's say a Knight moves out of the way of the Queen to deliver a double check on the opposing King. I've noticed several times, the Knight might have 2 options both giving double checks, but one of the options takes away the key flight squares of the opposing King.

Another thing I see is that if the opposing King is what appears to be a mating net, one of the moves is a waiting move as opposed to trying to force a check each time.

Those are just some suggestions.

One last point: It seems every puzzle is worth a minimum of 5 points if you solve it, so there is no rush per se. There are people who have puzzle ratings in the 60,000 range which is bananas and just shows in theory you could just keep grinding away 5 points at a time until the desired level is reached. I'm not even sure what a "60,000" rating means.

Why do you need such a high puzzles rating?

Blunder checking and mastering basic tactics is more than suffice to perform respectfully at the 1500-2000 club level.

Oh, I also love doing puzzles

except the rating/skill correlation does increase linearly