Does anyone else have trouble applying tactics they’ve learned in puzzles to their games?
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So, I’ve noticed I have a hard time applying my tactics in my games. I know my puzzle rating isn’t that high compared to most, but It’s high enough to let me know most basic tactics. However, I can rarely use these in my games. Does anyone else have this problem?
I am sure it helps you whether you realize it or not.
Tactics are just there so it’s easier for you to notice when these tactics are available to be used and when your opponent is using them
Oh tactics certainly help me, it’s just I feel like I could be spotting them better in games and in not sure what to do about that. I feel like when the game tells me there’s a tactic there, I can find it. But I can’t spot them on my own very well.
usually most puzzles only ask for best moves, you basically know you are in a winning position or you have a chance to escape from a difficult position. i am not surprised many amateurs are able solve puzzles correctly and fast, but play chess horribly. in actual games, you often have no idea which side is better
Don’t just blitz through tactics take the Time to make sure understand each puzzle
Solving lots of tactics will also start to give you a nose for when you have tactics in your games. Pattern recognition.
David Pruess has a great video series on this.
David Pruess has a great video series on this.
Oct 16, 2021
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#8
Then you need to work more on your situational awareness, and develop a "feel" for when tactics are lurking below the surface in a position.
Search for tactics when you have an advantage in development in an open position.
Oct 16, 2021
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#9
Doing a lot of puzzles makes me think that sacrificing my queen is always a good idea.
Oct 16, 2021
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#10
Predator At The Chessboard vol 1+2 go through how to spot tactics in a given position.
I recommend them.
Oct 16, 2021
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#11
When you have completed a puzzle then go back to the starting position and review the sequence of moves in your mind with an emphasis on finding out which pieces and circumstances had to be there to make it work. This will help you to memorize better the essential parts that must be there to apply a given tactic so you can recognize them in your own games.
As a simple example, when you encounter the following configuration you would immediately start to consider if a back rank mate could be applied. There are many such patterns and absorbing them all is a process which is very time-consuming.
@Nikkilikechiki yeah that is a pitfall of those type of problems. Better to have more varied themes.
I got the woody woodpecker book, all of its tactics are taken from the games of world champions. Not a whole lot of queen sacs at that level.
I got the woody woodpecker book, all of its tactics are taken from the games of world champions. Not a whole lot of queen sacs at that level.
Thanks so much for the advice! I’ve never read a chess book because I figured at my level they would be to advanced, but if you think it would help @martinbchess I will try to check it out. And thanks so much for tips @lokatzi. I will try and go back and study by previous puzzles. I will also check that video that was mentioned
Thank you all so much! I love how helpful this community is, it makes me so happy.
Thank you all so much! I love how helpful this community is, it makes me so happy.
Oct 16, 2021
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#14
Just look at the whole board before moving. That’s what I try to do, anyway.
1. Threats
2. Tactics
3. Positional moves
I look at all three in this order.
Oct 16, 2021
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#15
blueemu wrote:
Then you need to work more on your situational awareness, and develop a "feel" for when tactics are lurking below the surface in a position.
Search for tactics when you have an advantage in development in an open position.
And on a more technical side I'd add that when people are failing to find tactics it's usually:
1) They're not calculating forcing moves.
2) They're not considering multiple candidate moves.
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Some people who solve puzzles online aren't practicing these two things. They guess a move that looks like a puzzle solution without calculating to the end. This can work when it's a puzzle because you're guaranteed one of the forcing moves wins, but this is a worthless skill for real games.
For your puzzles, try to solve the whole thing before making the first move. When you think you have it, write down your solution. Now go back over your solution and try to improve the opponent's defense. Are you still happy with your solution? If you are, now you can play the first move.
I don't know how chess.com does puzzles. If all of them are timed here, then don't do puzzles here, because that's ridiculous.
Oct 16, 2021
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#16
llama47 wrote:
I don't know how chess.com does puzzles. If all of them are timed here, then don't do puzzles here, because that's ridiculous.
They have a “time bonus” for solving quickly, but technically no time limit.
Oct 16, 2021
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#17
AunTheKnight wrote:
llama47 wrote:
I don't know how chess.com does puzzles. If all of them are timed here, then don't do puzzles here, because that's ridiculous.
They have a “time bonus” for solving quickly, but technically no time limit.
If I took 15 minutes to solve a puzzle how many rating points would I get?
Oct 16, 2021
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#18
BTW, what I'm suggesting is essentially calculation training.
If you're aware of lots of tactical ideas when you do puzzles, but can't find them in games, it's because you have bad calculation habits.
Oct 16, 2021
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#19
llama47 wrote:
AunTheKnight wrote:
llama47 wrote:
I don't know how chess.com does puzzles. If all of them are timed here, then don't do puzzles here, because that's ridiculous.
They have a “time bonus” for solving quickly, but technically no time limit.
If I took 15 minutes to solve a puzzle how many rating points would I get?
Depends on the so-called “rating” of the puzzle. I think for a puzzle close to one’s puzzle rating, 5 points would be received. Not sure though. Puzzle ratings don’t really matter to me, anyhow. I only use it to track my progress.