How essential is it to purchase books on tactics?

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ESP-918

My main question would be is it worth it, to spend money on a chess book with tactics? 

I'm just wondering why can't someone just do tactics here or chesstempo or other sources online? 

If you study classics  (classical games by GM,books) don't they contain tactics if you go over their games and you are already learn them, isn't it? 

What about books on endgame studies don't they contains tactics if you go over them? 

I own quite a few books now and I'm just wondering do I need to expand my library and get some books on tactics (365 ways to checkmate book by joseph gallagher) , spend extra $$$ or is it just waiste of mone if I can study other books on classics and endgame studies etc...? 

ChuckVinson

I don't know. I'd like to hear what others have to say. I tend to think online practice is adequate. An older gentleman at my chess club swears by Laszlo Polgar's book. I'm close to buying it but it's difficult to justify when there is so much great training online. 

madratter7

There is a lot of great training online. And that is mostly what I use. That is particularly the case if you pay for premium membership at some sites where you get to easily review missed problems, etc.

That said, I do own the woodpecker method. It is an interesting book if for no other reason all of its tactics come from World Champions.

orangecloud1972
I am a beginner level player and I have been constantly told by better players and buy advice on this site that I ought to be focussing on tactics. My improvement in the game has come about primarily because of focussing on tactics. Online tactic simulators are fine but it’s good to slow down and to actually focus and concentrate on the reasons behind any given tactic. I find that books can do this for me. I recommend Susan Polgar’s tactics book which is organized by tactical themes. Also the big Polgar book mentioned above. I found a used copy of it for six dollars at a used bookstore. Good luck!
ESP-918

Susan Polgar's book is primary aimed for begginers level.

I was thinking about :

365 ways to checkmate book by Josephs  Gallagher 

mgx9600

If you actually read your chess books, then any book is worth its price.  Books are cheap; but only if you read them.

 

Now, if you are like me, who can't seem to get thru more than 5-10% of any chess book, then no chess book is worth buying.  And I've finally realized that... and have stopped buying them.

 

drmrboss

Tactics books explain with motifs, so they are essential for beginner level. (depth 3, depth 4 tactics etc)

At your level, those motifs are not that helpful.

In higher level tactics, how good your visualization, which point is the critical strike and how fast can u calculate matters. Those can be achieve with just practice.

 

nastynate309

anyone on here got the diamond package offered ?

BL4D3RUNN3R

Playing good chess means using a lot of tactics. Learning the isolated motifs is not bad but I think it’s overrated. Like practicing all day and all night penalties and corners in order to play soccer well. 

In short: anything is ok but always remember: it‘s not everything. In a game there’s no arbiter who stops the ball and let you think how to execute the final blow.

 

PS: Hertan‘s Forcing Chess Moves was quite successful in the US. I read the whole tome. wink.png

baddogno
nastynate309 wrote:

anyone on here got the diamond package offered ?

I do.  Between the tactics courses in the old Lessons which include courses on each of the generally recognized motifs and the unlimited tactics trainer, I don't really think you need books.  You can set the TT to custom unrated and choose any motif you want to work on, or choose a rating range, or even choose to work on tactics you have previously missed.  Not to mention of course the fabulously addictive puzzle rush.  Of course I'm old and lazy so I don't improve much, but the tools are there....

baddogno

I forgot the videos....sigh.  IM Danny Rensch has a series on the tactical motifs, and he's quite entertaining as well as informative.  Lots of other authors as well...

BL4D3RUNN3R

In my opinion videos are the worst. This kind of „consumption“ has the least enduring impact. The more you think yourself the better.

Solving puzzles is better.

ESP-918

No buddy really read thru my post and answered my questions .

ESP-918

ESP-918

🤔