Is solving chess problems the only way to improve tactical ability?

[danylev]

Hi all,

     I am sure that  the reason most of you are using this site is as that of a training tool in order to increase tactical strength.But though practice makes perfect, I believe that improper practice can impair progress.Therefore I would appreciate if anyone could put to light what he believes to be the correct approach to excel at tactics.

Thanks

[richard]

Hi all,

     I am sure that  the reason most of you are using this site is as that of a training tool in order to increase tactical strength.But though practice makes perfect, I believe that improper practice can impair progress.Therefore I would appreciate if anyone could put to light what he believes to be the correct approach to excel at tactics.

Thanks

I'm far from qualified to comment on the "correct approach to excel at tactics", but I'll throw my 2 cents worth in.  As far as I know there are no published articles investigating the correlation between tactical practice via position solving and improvements on the board.  Anecdotally practicing tactics by trying to find them in lots of different positions is said to be one of the best ways to improve the tactical aspect of your game.  There have been some informal analysis of the data from chess tactics sites that shows number of tactics done and rating on the site are at least slightly correlated, although rating change over time might be a more useful measure, but this data isn't always available.

I doubt you would doing yourself any harm by solving a lot of tactical problems :-)

Richard.

[oblonsky]

Hi

For  what it's worth, my approach to solving tactics is as follow:

1)  Read good books on tactics and endgames to introduce me to the principles and practice of tactics.  The endgame is rich in tactical possibilities and you're going to have to study it anyway.

2)  Understand tactical motiffs and combinations by using Convekta software, e.g. CT-Art, Chess Tactics for Beginners and/or Chess Tactics for Intermediates.  The important thing for me here is that these software products take me through my errors and help me understand the ideas behind the motifs in a practical and constructive way, as well as introducing me to analysing variations.

3)  Use Personal Chess Trainer software to help me recognise basic patterns which are theoretically understood but need to be etched into my very dull brain.

4)  Use Chess Tactics Server or this site, if you find the time restrictions on CTS a little difficult, to really sharpen up easy identification of tactical possibilities.

5)  Go back and start again until my ELO reaches around 2000(John Nunn believes games below ELO are 99.9 percent tactical anyway).

This is my view for what it's worth.

I've yet to try the puzzles on this site, but it's a very attractive site, though I have to admit CTS's only issue is the incredibly fast times for recognising and, in some cases, simply solving tactical puzzles.  I look forward to giving ths site a spin.

[pollock]

hi

Another important tool to improve tactical awareness is checking your games with a computer. This can bring attention to tactics which would be unlikely to spot otherwise. Also you've already invested some time in game so it builds on thoughts already had about the position.

Regards pollock

[kasparovsky]

hi,

Let us repeat once more the methods by which we can increase our combinative skill: 

"Let us repeat once more the methods by which we can increase our combinative skill:
  "(1) by careful examination of the different types and by a clear understanding of their motives and their premises
"(2) By memorising a number of outstanding as well as of common examples and solutions
"(3) Frequent repetition (in thought, if possible) of important combinations, so as to develop the imagination."
-- Euwe, Strategy and Tactics in Chess.

Creating a file of positions, problems, studies and puzzles with explanations in your own words about the motives, ideas, analysis etc. should do the job.

Also I found out it is useful to train your vision

study the board and the movements of the pieces without the board and the pieces until you get a clear picture of what is going on

study the board until you do not have to think anymore about which colour a certain square is, you simply know instantly cause you got a clear picture in your head. If you know the battle scene, nothing should escape to your attention. Then start experimenting with the pieces. put a knight on a square and do some exercises in your head. which squares is it attacking? how many moves to reach a certain square? how many different routes to reach a certain square? You must simply know what is going on. your tactical ability will improve cause you do not have to think much long anymore about positions you know, feel or see...