Tactics Trainer

[Narz]

For all the chess.com newcomers, just wanted to point out a pretty cool feature of the site : Tactics Trainer. Unfortunately non-premium members get only three problems a day but it's still a neat feature. Three problems a day is over 1,000 a year & 1,000 tactical problems will raise your level of play considerably.

The way the trainer rates you is kind of cool. It's as if you're playing "against" the problem. If you solve it your rating goes up & the problem's difficulty rating goes down, if you can't solve it your rating goes down & the problem's goes up. If you only partially solve it your rating stays about the same (might go up or down a bit depending on how much you solved & how difficult the puzzle). Time is a factor also, you get rated on your speed & afterwards can see what the average speed & solve rate is. As you get better you automatically get pared with harder problems (around your level).

Definitely good chess "exercise", kind of like martial arts training exercises where you're put in a real life "attack situation" (by the teacher or fellow students) and have to react accordingly.

 

[Mehmed100]

I suck at tactics trainer, partially for the same reasons I suck at blitz chess. It's still a great feature.

 

[Narz]

I try not to let the time pressure me, I'd rather get it right in 5 minutes (and gain 2 rating points than wrong and lose 50). It's the times I get it wrong regardless that are really annoying.

 

[stwils]

Narz,
I am only allowed 3 puzzles a day but am thinking of going on the 29$ membership plan. It is a nice feature at chess.com.

It seems weird to me that if you solve the problem the next problem is easier, and if you don't solve it your next problem is HARDER. Seems like then the worse you get the harder the puzzle!


I am also getting braver and playing two very slow games against two other members.

I don't understand how the rating system works and wonder if playing against a computer program on the site (if there is one) would have any effect or is it just playing against people on the site?

My playing is rather dismal, but I'm reading my new chess books and working with Chess Mentor (the CD) and CT-Art Beginners.

Cheers
stwils

 

[Narz]

Narz,
I am only allowed 3 puzzles a day but am thinking of going on the 29$ membership plan. It is a nice feature at chess.com.

It seems weird to me that if you solve the problem the next problem is easier, and if you don't solve it your next problem is HARDER. Seems like then the worse you get the harder the puzzle!

That's strange. Overall though it should adjust to your rating.

I am also getting braver and playing two very slow games against two other members.

Cool. Are you interested in joining the tournament? It's a 14-day (per move) time control so shouldn't be too taxing.

I don't understand how the rating system works and wonder if playing against a computer program on the site (if there is one) would have any effect or is it just playing against people on the site?

I don't think chess.com allows bots (even identified as such) to play.

My playing is rather dismal, but I'm reading my new chess books and working with Chess Mentor (the CD) and CT-Art Beginners.

Cheers
stwils

Excellent. Keep up the good work. How many hours of training are on the Chess Mentor CD?

 

[stwils]

Not sure about the "hours." I bought the Chess Mentor Basic which is the second set, not the cheapest one but not the deluxe.

Narz, I don't think I am ready for a tournament yet, but thanks for asking me.

stwils

 

[Narz]

I've been playing tactics trainer while tired & frustrated & my rating's slipped from a high of 2276 down to 1867.

 

[azzaman333]

My Tactics Trainer
Performance
Rating
Current: 709

I really suck at tactics trainer.

 

[col]

My rating is climbing - 1500+ now

 

[WhiteEagle22]

I may get the membership after I pay off some more debt. This sounds like a feature I could use to my advantage, as well as the Chess Mentor. *rubs hands in anticipation*

 

[JonathanStrange]

It is an interesting and useful trainer. I enjoy my CT-Art 3 software but I'm always game for new stuff. Very helpful...

 

[WhiteEagle22]

I haven't used the Tactics Trainer as much as I could have, and my ranking on Chess.com shows it. Of course, I haven't had the best of luck with my opponents lately...

 

[JonathanStrange]

One problem I had though in real games was looking for a tactic that wasn't there. Now how can I know that? I'd think Unless I look! which is sensible up to a certain point.

But like the unsure new driver who's been told to look both ways when crossing a busy street, I couldn't stop looking. (There's a quantum physics "joke" about looking in a dark room for a black cat that isn't there - referencing Schrodinger's cat and a futile search - that always seemed relevant).

So in real games, I had to learn to trust myself: look for a tactic, then TRUST yourself and move.

 

[col]

Sometimes you just get a feel that there must be something.

Sometimes you see the possibility a few moves earlier down the line and set it up.

 

[JonathanStrange]

That's the truth! My problem was looking and trying for those spectaculars when a pawn or exchange is sufficient. No more time pressure difficulties and more fun.

 

[col]

I've learned to be a lot more patient. In my youth I used to launch attacks and gambits and won spectacularly or died trying. I still play Civ that way!

These days, I'm content to build up small advantages. If I can win a pawn and keep a good position, thats often enough to win the game. Often I just build up and build up until the tactics just appear.

I love getting positions where my oppo can do nothing.

Look at this game
http://www.chess.com/echess/game.html?id=14933356

White grabs a pawn that looks Ok - but quickly gets reduced to paralysis and I won easily. Its a known bad line for white - but my oppo didnt know. (Computers always grab the pawn )

 

[Narz]

Nice win, breaking down a technically winning but difficult situation like that is what separates the men from the boys. I've been known to be able to do it on occasion but I've also had situations where I let my dynamic advantage slip away & end up simply a pawn down on the defensive myself.

 

[JonathanStrange]

Not being too familiar with the King's Indian, I might very well have (if I were the White player) have taken the pawn thinking a pawn's worth a little trouble. The play Black received though was difficult to deal with; even though the Queens were off the board, White's king is still vulnerable and those two bishops of Black remained dangerous. I liked that Black without fireworks was able to regain the pawn and throughout kept his pieces far more active. I would've regretted being White and having taken the pawn.

Well done, no tactical shots just skillful strategy and tactical maneuvering. Congrats!

( Like Narz said, I too might have just let the dynamic advantage slip away and be left a pawn done. Though on occasion, I could rise to the challenge.)

 

[WhiteEagle22]

I would have definately taken the pawn and lost. I know I'm pretty impulsive when it comes to chess and my rankings prove it. (Live Chess is 1000, E-chess is 986. Not the best...but the worst I've been so far. I have only played 1 game of Live Chess though.)

 

[col]

When I firstsaw this variation, I thoughtblack justloses a pawn. White LOOKs dominant. When Iplayed through a few games - Karpov lost as white to a relative unknown, I could see how blacks bishops just dominate. You swap off whites active pieces and then white can do nothing. It's a very instructive strategic game. I love the KIng's Indian!