Thanks very much.

Regards,

Lou

I strongly recommend Tactics for Advanced Players by Averbach.  It covers all phases of the game, and he has some nice tricks, like on calculationing or keys squares, that cuts down the options to look at in a position.  It'll add some heat to your game.

Okay, I've ordered this: 

Tactics for Advanced Players by Averbach,

and this, 

I have the program bundle that I mentioned above for improving my tactics. It contains 3 complete programs. The good thing is that it offers us the option to solve tactics classified by theme and delve into the themes. After gaining some experience you can choose to solve mixed tests and define the rating range of the tests. My opinion is that studying tactics from books is somehow slow. I prefer books mostly for studying openings.

Litwitlou: I'll join SkyMarshal in recommending Susan Polgar's "Tactics for Champions."

The problems are easier than most tactical puzzle books, but not brain-dead. That's a feature IMO. The problems are arranged by themes.

I want to be good enough to spot basic 2-3 move combinations reliably, not become a tactical wizard at solving Puzzle of the Day positions. Polgar's book is the best I've seen for this level.

I love all the computer options for chess learning these days. However, books still have their virtures, especially a chess tactics book.

I carry one around with me much of the time and in spare moments, I can flip the book open to a problem and start work on it within seconds.

Its tactics software.  Very good sofware

It's enlightening to go over a lot of chess.com games and see how often straightforward tactics are missed by class players even at slow time controls.

Very good indeed. I have it since January (together with other 2 of their products) and my tactical vision is already boosted.

This should get you on your way

http://home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Events_Books/General_Book_Guide.htm

i also have ct-art 4.0. Listening to you'll,  i may have to download it back on my laptopand start back studying it. but as mentioned, i just may have to take my master game book to work for spare time studying.

Wow, thanks for all the help. This is exactly what I needed. I can only follow simple directions :)

Regards,

Lou

CT-ART 5.0. Complete Chess Tactics - Training Software

This? Right?

Yes, I spent some time on that  site. But I really have to study it before purchasing.

I'm in a bind. I'm serious about improving, so I'm willing to spend some bucks. But I don't have enough bucks to buy the wrong stuff. So I need to be picky.

You guys are a great help, thanks again.

Regards,

Lou

I think Botvinnik said the best chess book he ever read was Capablanca's "Chess Fundamentals."

Combination challenge hays and hall great book will raise your rating

USCF A player that didnt start studying tactics til about 3 months ago.  So yea tactics arent everything.

Back in the sixties and seventies and before, no USCF players studied tactics beyond looking at a monthly puzzle page or picking up an occasional book on combinations.

You can pick up tactics without drilling on them. It's just slower.

What you gon' do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk?
I'ma get, get, get, get, you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump,
My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little lumps (Check it out)

Ain't no gittin over a hump with chess.

raspberry_ yoghurt- ---- hump, slump, call it whatever. since you're a little slow, we are discussing the point where you stop improving for whatever reason.