how do you beat tactics puzzles

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igguu
I'm new, I know the rules of chess and that's it. I'm trying to practice with the tactics feature, but I don't get it. I was thinking the way to beat the puzzle is to put the opponents king in checkmate, but when I look at the solution to puzzles I didn't get, the king never seems to be in check or checkmate after the solution plays out. what am I missing?
ArchieBunker03

To solve a puzzle you need to find the best move in the position. This could be a forced checkmate, winning an exchange (trading a bishop or knight for a rook) or something as simple as winning a pawn. Just take your time and try to find the best move.

Diakonia

I look for Forcing Moves first - Check, Capture, Threat.  They are the easiest lines to calulate because they are forced.  After that i just kinda wing it.

macer75
ArchieBunker03 wrote:

To solve a puzzle you need to find the best move in the position. This could be a forced checkmate, winning an exchange (trading a bishop or knight for a rook) or something as simple as winning a pawn. Just take your time and try to find the best move.

At lower levels the latter two are highly uncommon. It's usually either a forced checkmate, or winning a large chunk of material.

u0110001101101000

Checks and captures are particularly important in beginner type puzzles. If one series of captures doesn't win material, then try changing the order in which you capture to see if that works instead.

Also remember the opponent gets to move too... solutions like "I move here to threaten mate, my opponent doesn't see it and moves somewhere, then on the next move I mate!" will almost always be incorrect. For the opponent's move, assume they see everything you do.

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Being familiar with the basic tactical themes is also very useful. Chess.com and some other sites seem to do information overload on tactical themes, trying to give an exhaustive list which I think is just confusing to beginners. IMO the basic themes are let's say:  pin/skewer, fork, removing the defender, and discovered attack/check.

1hey

Do mate in one puzzle

ChessOfPlayer

Ok.  I will solve an easy puzzle and write down my thoughs best I can.

ChessOfPlayer