best way to do woodpecker digitally
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trw0311
Aug 26, 2021
0
#1
I got the woodpecker method book, I realize there is a Chessable course but I’m not going to re but it on there. I don’t want to waste time setting up pieces on my board for quick position. What’s the best way to set these positions up quickly digitally and save them for later. I guess I could do it on the explorer here but I’d like to save them in a folder so I can go back and go through them without having to set it up every time.
Aug 26, 2021
0
#2
For woodpecker method, try to play them out in your head. It's hard at first, but it forces you to think before you put the pieces on the board (on computer or real board).
Aug 26, 2021
0
#3
Someone made a "woodpecker" study of all "easy" 221 tactics in a "interactive" mode over at another site. Here's the link to the 1st 64 (1/4): https://lichess.org/study/s2FeEYlV Easy is a relative term!
Sep 12, 2021
0
#4
The Forward Chess Android app has the book, and a "Show/Hide Solution" button and a diagram that supports making moves/reversing the board.
Sep 12, 2021
0
#5
I just look at the diagram and picture the pieces moving in my head.
For longer and more complicated puzzles, this can give your visualization skills a workout too.
I’ve seen a number of 2000+ FIDE players say that tactics puzzles are far more beneficial if you calculate the entire variation prior to moving a piece.
Not using a board in the first place is a great way of forcing yourself to do so.
This is what I’ve been doing, and it’s improved my playing strength substantially.
For longer and more complicated puzzles, this can give your visualization skills a workout too.
I’ve seen a number of 2000+ FIDE players say that tactics puzzles are far more beneficial if you calculate the entire variation prior to moving a piece.
Not using a board in the first place is a great way of forcing yourself to do so.
This is what I’ve been doing, and it’s improved my playing strength substantially.
Sep 12, 2021
0
#6
Chessable also have the book and you can use the method on more courses, even free courses.
Try ChessWoodie.com . It’s build around woodpecker method practice and is free. On top of it it’s pretty fun and engaging to track your puzzle per minute stat changing from one cycle to another
Dec 10, 2025
0
#8
https://www.tacticspecker.com/about is also out there. I've signed up but not tried it yet.
But I kind of like the idea of not moving a piece until it is worked out in your head. But I guess you can force yourself to do that with proper discipline.
https://puzzlify.io/woodpecker - comes with built-in Stockfish Engine Analysis
I've worked through this problem myself. The core issue with digital Woodpecker training is tracking cycles and verifying you're getting faster. Lichess studies and Chess.com handle the puzzle content, but you lose all progress metadata.
Several tools exist for this now, some already mentioned by others, so i'll just summarise:
- Chessable - you can buy the digital version of the original book, but MoveTrainer isn't purpose built for woodpecker. Also, the book's puzzles might be too tough for beginner/casual players.
- ChessWoodie is a free and simple indy project, clean UI.
- Disco Chess is the reference woodpecker implementation with bells and whistles, has themed problem sets at multiple difficulty levels and a very slick interface.
- ChessPecker offers customisation options, but is a legacy project as its creators ceased to work on the project.
- TacticsPecker is a clone of ChessPecker and is another fun indie project.
- Puzzlify - generate your own sets (advanced) and offers Stockfish analysis
Each involves tradeoffs in puzzle selection and features.
The visualization-only approach mentioned here is valid. The book authors argue moving pieces weakens the training. But most of us need feedback to stay motivated through 7+ cycles.
Whatever you choose, consistency matters most. The method builds pattern recognition over time, so you need reliable data to compare cycle 1 vs cycle 4 performance.
Mar 1, 2026
0
#12
Based on Deepbluender's summary (very useful, thank you!), I started using Disco Chess, and I’m quite happy with it. I’m still working on my first 500-puzzle cycle, but I already think it’s improving my tactics more than anything else I’ve tried.
