Tactics

How do you learn to better spot tactics in your games? I recently have been getting a little better at tactics training but I miss stuff in real games.

Do the puzzles on this page if you're premium.

It's important to bear in mind that tactics flow from a superior position. You won't be able to find a winning combination unless you are already in a winning position. So one important step toward applying tactics in your own games is to get good at gaining the advantage and creating winning positions... then the tactics will start to surface.

You gain the advantage by maneuver, and cash in with tactics.

I think there is only one way, and that is to keep doing tactics and watching lessons. Tactics help you recognize where the pieces can travel in a couple or three moves as opposed to their immediate path as with new players. Video lessons on this site are good, but there are also a bunch of them online where videos are. Just don't expect to improve a lot and quickly

a concept that really helps me is the of “chess antennae”- based on a book called “chess tactics antennae” my coach recommended this book to me when i was barely 1000 on chess.com (i had played maybe 2

(cont because of fat fingers)

sorry...

the point is i was pretty new to the game


the point of the signals is that you pay attention to king safety, loose pieces, under defended pieces, overworked pieces, poor alignment, knight fork distance

if two or more of these conditions are present then your “chess antennae” need to tingle and it’s time to really look for tactics

the problems will definitely require a board to work out the positions on but it was a game changer


also- get a real good tactics book; with the motifs/signals really well organized

i got a lot out of 1001 beginner chess exercises


these emphasize the fundamental execution of the tactics


chess.com tactics trainer is really good as a “testor” not necessarily as a “trainer”
nevertheless, as you are a diamond member really use it to your advantage and be hard on yourself to understand each puzzle before you do the next one (easier said than done)

also- if you can- start playing rated otb games at classical time controls- this really gives the most bang for buck as to getting your chess game stronger

good luck

ffs-more fat finger


also- im squarology (daniel tapia) has a video series on the “chess tactics antennae” the exact same book; and he goes over each of the signals

it was made for chess.com so it might be here in chess.com catalog


but when i watch it i usually search “im squarology chess tactics antennae” and it is easy to navigate to whole 7 or so short videos


i strongly recommend this series

Tactics are the most important element of learning for every beginner to intermediate player, definitely more than openings.