Solving puzzles can be quite helpful, but the key is to approach them in a way that mimics real-game situations.
Does puzzle solving really helps?
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Just to let you know I'm solving puzzles
I recommend this mode: https://www.chess.com/puzzles/learning
It lets you pick a specific theme and also it shows related themes when you've done with a puzzle. This really teaches you something and you know what theme to expect and you can select rating range manually. Plus there's no time pressure and fear to lose puzzle rating. Overall, just a healthier environment for learning.
Are they worth the subscription - try and decide, 7-day trial is free.
Sep 29, 2024
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#26
Yes i think they do help me as somebody else said here - you start to recognise patterns in a real game that corresponds with the puzzles you have been doing.
Oct 10, 2024
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#27
P_H_A_N_E_S wrote:
I heard it helps train your intuition and board vision to spot tactics, rather that teaching you tactics directlybut rather helping you spot them more often and faster.
Pretty much this, that's my understanding of it, it's all about recognizing certain characteristics of a position, where a tactic may be possible. For example if you have a rook and a Bishop on the same file and the King is one square off, maybe you can check the king, bring it to the same file as your rook and bishop and then move the bishop to attack your opponent's Queen, and while they are dealing with the check, you then take their Queen the next move.
Now we all know that's a "discovered attack", but in order to become skilled at seeing them, you must practice them. Knowing what I said up above is not enough, skills are gained and then honed, in other words, you have to do it and not just have knowledge of it.
Oct 10, 2024
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#28
You’re 1500 and can’t see the benefit of the puzzles or how to use them in game? How are people like you 1500? Genuine question
Oct 10, 2024
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#29
Like the poster, I began solving puzzles because it is an important tool for improving at chess. It took a few months for it to actually make a difference in my play, and only after I made a couple of adjustments to my approach to solving puzzles.
1. Frustrated, I changed my attitude about puzzles. Instead of grinding them in hopes of increasing my ELO, I decided to chill, step back, and solve puzzles for the enjoyment of solving puzzles.
2. I started using "Custom Puzzles" on chess.com. First, I decide on what tactic to focus on this week, such as "Fork/Double Attack", and I solve a few of these puzzles. Then I switch to "All Themes" and practice basic calculation skills.
This approach has worked for me so far and made solving puzzles fun. I use puzzles to wake my brain up before playing training or rated games.
(BTW, I have decided to mostly play daily rated games for now so that I can focus on improving my calculation skills and learning my openings without the pressure of time controls. Another option is to play longer controls, like 30 minutes.)
It does help you increase your visual skills to predict the movements and tactics of chess so i think yeah but my advice comes from someone who joined 1 hour ago..