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How to train tactics to improve steadily?

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martinbeseda

My problem is pretty straightforward - I got to Rapid 1600+ here and 1900+ Lichess, but now I'm falling in most of my games due to not only blundering streaks (though they do happen from time to time), but usually due to some tactics I didn't calculate correctly.

Basically, there are situations I either a) didn't see at all, literally not thinking about some move or b) do see correctly, but then miscalculate the combination and usually reject it, albeit being winning etc.

I tried to focus on my tactics more recently, but I found out a very unpleasant fact - for the last year I improved only something about 100+ rating in tactics here, as I'm hovering in 2400-2500 range, unable to get steadily above, albeit sometimes having better streaks up to 2700+.

Obviously, I'm training tactics incorrectly, even if I try to visualize all the moves, or at least as many as I can and move afterwards. Also, if I'm not sure, why my solution is bad, I spend some time with analysis board afterwards.

Do you have any suggestions, what can be wrong or what could I do better to improve tactically? I have a strange feeling, that most of my rating improvement over the last year was opening theory and some endgame technique, but tactics remain the same...

Thank you very much for all suggestions!

ConchoChessAcademyRoss

Try Lichess Puzzles and select puzzles from the openings you play. It will give you tactics that occur in those openings and you can build more pattern recognition. I think they help a lot when they are from actual games and eventually you can spot the commonalities in the structures.

J-0K-ER

I'm having the same issue it's very frustrating when I randomly blunder for no reason except just being stupid tactics is also a struggle.

ChessMasteryOfficial

Instead of doing a large number of tactics quickly, focus on solving a smaller number of high-quality puzzles thoroughly. Take your time to understand the patterns and themes behind each puzzle.

tygxc

Analyse your lost games thoroughly to learn from your mistakes.
See the positions as puzzles from your own games.