How many chess puzzles

I'm thinking that the key for me to get better at chess is puzzles. But how many? I have the free membership which gives me 5 puzzles and day, plus a puzzle rush and puzzle battle. But is that enough to improve or do I need more? If so then how much would i need and what membership should I buy?

Apparently more and more chess games is not the key to improvement.

Is there a better strategy is should use?

I am sure you are right about the necessity of being familiar with underlying tactical patterns. I'm a little tired now and will be going to bed soon, but I will get back to you tomorrow with a detailed answer. 

Yes, of course the key for being better is puzzles! But not only from chess.com, but from books, such as "Sarpen Your Tactics" and many more.

If you really want to get good, chess puzzles is only a small piece.  You need to play better players and analyze your losses, study endgames and strategy.  I suggest the books Basic chess endings (start with pawns, then rooks), and My System.   I also suggest you find an opening with white and black (gains e4 and c4).  Also, know what to play against c4.  

 

thank you

why is just cc tactics not enough?

my brother has some very promising looking books. but chess books are hard to read with all the notation

but it will probably be worth getting more familiar with notation 

Puzzles are not the only way to improve. I am in a similar situation; I do not have a premium membership but I have still improved a lot. I have gone from low 700s (6 months ago) to nearly 1100 by doing 5 puzzles a day and watching videos. My favorite videos are by John Bartholomew; I definitely recommend him. I also bought the book "Logical Chess: Move by Move" and I have improved 70 points in the past 2 weeks by reading that.

and what things did you learn that gave you that extra 70 point?

I agree that a whole lot of online games is not going to be particularly helpful. If you are a beginner, you really need to learn the basic tactical patterns occur over and over: pin, skewer, fork, double attack, etc. Also you need to know the basic mates. Get any reasonable book on tactical exercises. You can take the book with you, and solve them whenever it's convenient.

Los Angeles has a huge library system, and even though I live in a small suburb, I can go to my small local branch and have any book in the entire system delivered there. Perhaps you have something similar where you live. This could save you money.

The tactics trainer on chess.com is great, but 5 problems a day is way too few. I had a diamond membership for years, but finally realized that I was paying for features that I never used. Currently I am quite happy with the platinum plan which, among other things, gives me unlimited tactics training. However, the gold plan is probably good for you, and offers 25 tactics a day. Check out "membership" and they will list the available plans and their costs. I believe you can get some real bargains if you prepay for a year. Check it out.

Does your brother play in OTB tournaments, and if so, what class ( USCF ) is he ? Also, what chess books does he have and would he let you use them ?

I see OP has gone Diamond.  Here's a link to the old lessons.  Any course by GM Wolff is highly recommended.  

https://www.chess.com/mentor/courses/tactics

Yes he does. And we live together so I have access to all his books. His uscf rating is about 1300.  He has some good puzzle books so I should be set

I am familiar with those simple tactics. But I have anylized some games and ideas shocked at some of the stuff I missed.

i feel I got cheap shoted with some cc puzzles. I lost one because apparently it was a "defensive puzzle" and I wasn't supposed to gain material or find mate or anything

I know what you mean. I used to get furious at tactics trainer for penalizing me when I chose a plainly winning line instead of some slightly faster one. Or, like what happened to you, I struggled to find a win when the point of the puzzle was to find a way to draw. Eventually, I had to thank it for sharpening my tactical eye, and helping me to evaluate positions correctly. 

Playing an OTB tournament game with an expert, I saw a way to win an exchange, but keeping tactics trainer in mind, I looked for an even better move, and found a way to win a whole piece. Thank you tactics trainer!

Ha, ok, I guess I am better off. I'm looking forward to going to my 2nd OTB tournament in a couple of weeks

I really don't feel the chess.com puzzles are very good.  On some you can sac a piece to get a royal fork, but you still lose because there is another mate that exists if you look hard enough.  To me that is not a puzzle that helps anyone's tactics. 

I saw one were the answer was a pawn race put at the end you lose tempo.