This applies to actually playing the game too. I'm a pretty slow player in general, and when I win games it's often because my opponents move too fast in an attempt to maintain their time advantage and play terrible moves by accident.
Case in point: not too long ago, I played against a guy who was basically premoving everything. I think he only took more than five seconds on one or two moves. In a 10|5 rapid game.
Unfortunately, I was severely flustered by this and ended up in a completely losing position. Or at least, I was completely losing until he hung mate in 1, because he skewered both of my rooks and got too excited to take them, totally forgetting the checkmate threat I'd set up a few moves later.
If laughing uncontrollably for nearly a full minute after I played the checkmate and showing the final position to all of my friends makes me a bad person, then I guess I'm already cooked.
The Power of Daily Tactics – and Why Accuracy Matters More Than Speed
By FIDE Trainer Darko Polimac
In my 20+ years of coaching chess players around the world, one principle has never changed: tactical training is the foundation of improvement. If you want to grow as a chess player, you cannot afford to skip working on tactics. They are the “fitness training” of chess – sharpening your calculation, board vision, and ability to spot opportunities.
However, there’s a critical detail that many players in the U.S. (and globally) overlook: it’s not just about doing as many puzzles as possible. Speed can be tempting, especially on apps that encourage you to solve quickly. But in real games, it’s accuracy that wins. Solving tactics slowly and carefully – checking every variation, making sure you understand why the move works and why alternatives fail – builds the habit of precision. That habit directly translates into better tournament performance.
Why a Coach Makes the Difference
Self-study is valuable, but improvement accelerates dramatically with the guidance of a coach who understands your specific needs. A good coach doesn’t just throw you puzzles or opening lines. Instead, he (or she) tailors the training to:
Your opening repertoire (since many tactical motifs arise from the openings you play).
Your playing style (whether you thrive in sharp complications or prefer positional maneuvering).
Your complete game (openings, middlegame strategy, and endgames).
This holistic approach ensures that every tactical exercise is connected to your chess – not just abstract positions. Over time, the coach helps you recognize patterns from your own games, making your study deeply personal and effective.
Daily Work, Lifelong Results
For players in the U.S., where life is often busy and schedules are tight, the key is consistency. Even 20–30 minutes of thoughtful, accurate tactical training each day will bring measurable progress. Combine that with a coach who provides structure, accountability, and feedback, and you create a powerful formula for success.
Chess is a game of decisions under pressure. Daily tactical training builds the clarity and confidence needed to make those decisions. And with tailored coaching, you’ll make sure that your hard work translates into real improvement – not just puzzle ratings.
If you’re serious about chess growth, don’t just rush through tactics. Slow down. Focus. Understand. And when possible, work with someone who can guide your journey in a way that’s uniquely yours.
Darko Polimac, FIDE Trainer
📧 dpolimac@gmail.com
The photo - student Kyle from Ireland puzzle progress while working with me