Tactics Trainer

It's become too hard ... I love the single point awarded for a correct answer regardless of time ... but ... I'm gaining only 2s, 3s and 4s ... while losing 8s,9s and 10s ... so even though I'm playing at 55% ... I'm still sliding into the abyss ... and for sonmething that is suppossed to be pleasureable ... ie learning ... it has become an exercise in frustration ... I'm coming to hate chess ... and I never thought I would say that.

All three of your threads have been about TT. It seems quite apparent that you only use the site for this feature. It's kind of surprising then that you still haven't work out the basic concept... You think that you're scoring the same regardless of time? I...

Instead of focusing on the points and rating, focus on solving each and every one and getting a high percentage.

No matter how long you take, before you submit a move, make sure is is the best and you feel that you have it calculated to the very end (No laziness) .

If you can't solve a tactic and have spend a considerable amount of time on, make the most logical guess and admit defeat eager to see the solution.  Then take note of the tactical elements making the puzzle (motifs).

Don't ever solve tactics when you are not in the zone or are frustrated/upset.

-Advice from my own experience

Two suggestions on taking a break from rated TT.

First you can learn a lot from kicking over to V3 and just practicing unrated problems that you have previously failed.  It's like having a coach who can point out tactical themes you need to work on.

Second there are all kinds of tactical courses over at the ChessMentor.  GM Patrick Wolff has well over a dozen courses divided by tactical motif and those can really help.  We've all been frustrated by the TT and need a break now and then.  Good luck.

*Ignore this post*. I'm just making it so that when I lose my (completely won for a long time) current live game I can prove that my internet was perfect.

thanks guys ... will try version 3 and GM patrick Wolff ... 

Comment ... and question ... for ChessOath ... yes TT is the only feature I use on the site ... what can I say ... I'm terrified of actually playing someone ... and enjoy the 'puzzle' feature of solving little problems ... but not sure what you mean by ... working out the basic concept? Thnks.

I already said "You think you're scoring the same regardless of time?".

ChessOath ... no ... I recognize that the longer I take to solve the problem the lower my score ... but I used to be up around 1750 until the scoring changes ... I think ... roughly around then ... and now it's difficult to stay around 1600 ... 

Don_Frye1 ... no puppet ... nor a second time poster ... no multi-posting ... just frustrated ... 

Thats because youre concentrating on the number, and not the learning.

What scoring changes?

If he is talking V3.  The chess weinies got there way, and now even if you miss a tactic you dont lose any points.  Or so ive heard...

probably true Diakonia ... but the number is in some small part an evaluation of the learning ... and I think the points awarded punish rather than praise ... if I am playing at 55% success shouldn't my numbers increase slightly ... or at least remain the same ... surely not decrease ... 

Baddogno ... great advice ... cheers ... "we've all been frustrated by the TT" ... totally agree ... and now is one of those times ... I think when I break through 1750 that things will remain relatively ok ... how wrong I can be!!

Having said that Baddogno ... I still feel that if I'm playing at a 55% success rate then I shouldn't be sliding downwards ... just sayin' ... 

Phil. When you need Diakonia to explain what you mean for you, you're doing something wrong. Now that I think I somewhat understand what you're talking about, I'll ask you why you don't just use V2?

Diakonia wrote:

If he is talking V3.  The chess weinies got there way, and now even if you miss a tactic you dont lose any points.  Or so ive heard...

You heard wrong...