Tactics Trainer

Lately, I encounter more and more tactics trainer problems that 'finish too soon'. What I mean with that is a situation where the problem covers one or two moves, but does not cover the final move which would lead to a mate, material gain or a succesful defense. A great example is problem 0029014, but there are many more.

Presumably this is because there are several options. However, the point of a tactics trainer problem is to learn the correct moves. If they aren't included in the problem that becomes harder. Now in several cases it gets even worse because those moves are also not included in the 'analysis and source' section. Again refer to the above-mentioned problem, where one needs the comments to find out why hxg6 is not a good move. Those comments are not always so helpful, and this is not an isolated incident (or I'd reported it as such), but merely an example of a pretty wide-spread problem.

So my request, as a paying member, would be a more thorough vetting of these problems. I see three options:

- Only include ones that can be carried to a natural conclusion.

- Include a much more extensive 'analysis', which explains the different lines. Also make sure that the link to the source and analysis doesn't disappear after succesfully solving the problem, as it does now on occasion (a bug?).

- Allow for alternative correct moves in the tactics trainer, so that in case of multiple lines, the problem can continue. I think at one point this was an option, but I haven't seen it in months.

As the staff may notice, the options are listed by both increasing usefulness and increasing effort.

Great suggestions... though not easily corrected. If you see one that does not feel natural, please click on the FLAG and we'll look at it!

I found what I thought to be an inaccuracy in one problem on Tactics Trainer. I hit the red flag, but was surprised there was no place to explain what I thought was wrong (did I miss something?). The problem was long and complex (involving a "cooked" solution), I was left wondering if the site reviewers would detect the same difficulties. Any chance of an (optional) explanation box?

we use very strong computers for this stuff. if there is a problem, our team will generally find it :)

Erik,

Thanks for your reply. Though I must say it's rarely that the problem itself is truely faulty. It's much more the communication regarding why a move is forced or why a particular position would be won that is often lacking. This can be fixed by extending the problem (as I'd prefer), but also by 'dumping' more of the computer analysis in the analyis & source window. If you run every problem through a powerful engine anyway, that last fix shouldn't be too hard too achieve, I suppose.

i agree!

Ray, you can use the problem comments as your explanation box.

there have been a few of these for me too, i will make sure next time i flag it for everyone..