timed training... Tactical Trainer vs. Tactical Tester
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I totally agree with you. That is a correct statement in my judgement
Apr 21, 2008
0
#3
in your Tactics Trainer settings you can choose to use UN-timed, UN-rated mode :)
http://www.chess.com/tactics/settings.html
;)
I agree with JG27Pyth. Its nice that they have added the option to for the untimed and unrated mode, if you subscribe. Just another good reason to pay up.
Apr 21, 2008
0
#5
It's funny i just found the Tactical Trainer 1 hr ago, and truth be told what i like most of it it's the time control since i can focus on solving the puzzles with out worring of timing myself; Bessides IMHO a very important part of chess its that you only have certain amount of time to make all your moves, so how fast you can solve a problem its a vital part of chess competitions.
But its nice that the dev team think in everyone and gave the option to untime the puzzles for the ppl that dont like it timmed.
Great job dev team ^-^!
Well, I don't have the option of turning the timer off, what with being a freeloader and all... but option or not, I wasn't complaining about the timer so much as wondering if others agreed that untimed is optimal for training. I thought someone might defend the need to study tactics under time pressure, but it seems not.
I hated trainer back a couple months ago when i first tried it because of the timer and me taking unreasonable multiples of timed average but still failing. Just recently tried again and was doing lousy at first but 'machine' adjusted to me - just like I read it would - at first was giving me puzzles rated 1700-2000,way over my head, but then droped into my range and I think timer might be to my benifit. Option to turn it off on mentally incompetent days is very nice.
Apr 21, 2008
0
#8
JG27Pyth wrote: Well, I don't have the option of turning the timer off, what with being a freeloader and all... but option or not, I wasn't complaining about the timer so much as wondering if others agreed that untimed is optimal for training. I thought someone might defend the need to study tactics under time pressure, but it seems not.
I do prefer them under time pressure.
I agree with both sides. Some puzzles I do find myself guessing just to stay within time, but at the same time, it's very satisfying to solve a puzzle without using alot of time.
JG27Pyth> It's my feeling that timing tactical puzzles is an excellent way to test your level... the .emerald tactics server, where the timer is insanely fast... .
"You must see it!" -- Tartakower
If you can see tactics, 10s is not fast. If you have to calculate them, then of course it's not enough time. .emrald tests what you can see. The point is to learn to be able to instantly recognize more tactical patterns.
JG27Pyth> I think untimed is better for learning.
Of course, so do the folks behind .emrald. So you're chugging along: correct, correct, correct, correct, correct, correct, correct, wrong! Aha, you've spotted a tactical pattern you don't know. The default is to stop when you get one wrong. The options to "View Solution" and "Try Again Unsolved" appear. Someone trying to improve will usually view the solution, make sure they understand the position, and then solve it once themselves.
JG27Pyth> I thought someone might defend ... study tactics under time pressure
No need. chess.com offers both modes so everyone is happy! :)
In fact, the time feature is the one I like most!! You can found thousands of books on tactics to take all the time you want, but the time pressure helps to develop an "eagle eye". On a real timed match, you have to take care of so many things. I think that the faster you can go through and check if there is a tactical move, more time you could dedicate to the more time consuming strategic issues.
So what if time passes and you lose some points (ok, being honest, it's not nice). It's training. I've learned much more from the problems I miss than from those I solved.
I wonder how people, particularly strong players, feel about the timer on the tactical trainer (and also ESPECIALLY on the .emerald tactics server, where the timer is insanely fast).
It's my feeling that timing tactical puzzles is an excellent way to test your level. I'm not saying speed doesn't matter. It is absolutely true higher rated players tend to be faster... indeed I've seen a talented 2200+ player blaze through the puzzles and it is terrifying how quickly some people see/calculate.
But I think the timing is best only for testing, for assessing one's level... I think untimed is better for learning. You want to encourage people to think and look and search until they find the answer... it's that heavy mental lifting that builds the calculation muscle and chess sight... the timer just encourages guessing IMO and actually may diminish the discipline to calculate.
I wonder if others agree.