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How to study tactics in chess.com? How did you improve TT from let's say 1000 to 2000 or higher?

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Avatar of torrubirubi
torrubirubi
Nov 8, 2017
0
#21

 I saw them already, I remember that in one video he took a lot of time to explain patterns that are probably difficult but that I knew already, like the smothered mate, I will spot this in two seconds, especially with the typical position with N and Q close to the defending K which is constricted by own figures or in a corner. If I remember well he said to do only few tactics per day (or just one). Of course this is better than not doing anything, but I remember an author telling that you should for a couple of months do huge amounts of tactics to immerse yourself in this world, and I think this is correct.

Avatar of Scrap-O-Matic
Scrap-O-Matic
Nov 8, 2017
0
#22
torrubirubi wrote:

 I saw them already, I remember that in one video he took a lot of time to explain patterns that are probably difficult but that I knew already, like the smothered mate, I will spot this in two seconds, especially with the typical position with N and Q close to the defending K which is constricted by own figures or in a corner. If I remember well he said to do only few tactics per day (or just one). Of course this is better than not doing anything, but I remember an author telling that you should for a couple of months do huge amounts of tactics to immerse yourself in this world, and I think this is correct.

I think there is more to his series than just exposure to a few patterns.

I gained more from paying attention to how he structures his thought process and how he stresses repeating the solution a few times to help ingrain the motif.

My tips.

1. Turn off the timer.

2. Ignore your rating.

3. Look at the entire board. (Start establishing a process in your calculation routine. i.e. Checks, captures, undefended pieces, overloaded pieces, etc.)

4. Don't move until you see it.

5. Play through the side lines once the tactic is complete. Regardless if you get it right/wrong.

6. Focus on accuracy and your speed will come to you.

7. Study tactics in the unrated mode and solve them by theme.

 

As for additional material to study look at the Steps Method.

http://www.stappenmethode.nl/en/

Absolutely the best resource for breaking tactics downs into their smallest building blocks.

Good luck!

Avatar of torrubirubi
torrubirubi
Nov 8, 2017
0
#23
Scrap-O-Matic wrote:
torrubirubi wrote:

 I saw them already, I remember that in one video he took a lot of time to explain patterns that are probably difficult but that I knew already, like the smothered mate, I will spot this in two seconds, especially with the typical position with N and Q close to the defending K which is constricted by own figures or in a corner. If I remember well he said to do only few tactics per day (or just one). Of course this is better than not doing anything, but I remember an author telling that you should for a couple of months do huge amounts of tactics to immerse yourself in this world, and I think this is correct.

I think there is more to his series than just exposure to a few patterns.

I gained more from paying attention to how he structures his thought process and how he stresses repeating the solution a few times to help ingrain the motif.

My tips.

1. Turn off the timer.

2. Ignore your rating.

3. Look at the entire board. (Start establishing a process in your calculation routine. i.e. Checks, captures, undefended pieces, overloaded pieces, etc.)

4. Don't move until you see it.

5. Play through the side lines once the tactic is complete. Regardless if you get it right/wrong.

6. Focus on accuracy and your speed will come to you.

7. Study tactics in the unrated mode and solve them by theme.

 

As for additional material to study look at the Steps Method.

http://www.stappenmethode.nl/en/

Absolutely the best resource for breaking tactics downs into their smallest building blocks.

Good luck!

Thanks. The Step Method is widely used and with a great reputation from what I read. 

Your tips are good. I didn't know that I turn off the timer; actually I did not inform myself about anything on the TT, I just began to train with it. 

I like to train also with CT-ART (I think 5.0), as you go through different lines; it seems very well done. I use also Chessimo. It is also good, as you have to repeat every exercise I think 6 times (it would be better if the repetitions would be by spaced repetition, but for some reason most apps are not using this).