Puzzle Rush Tips

Puzzle rush is SO frustrating. I just can't seem to get over 13 again.

When I take the time I can't get enough. When I don't take as much time I can get high but I miss three too early.

The one time I had the chance to beat my record was when I had 11 points and 2 minutes left. But then I missed for the third time...and I blew it.

So are there any tips for this mode? It is so much fun (and frustrating both at the same time) that I want a decent record. Can anyone help?

Speed through the easy ones and take time on the harder ones. 

Alright. Thank you.

Take your time and focus on those easy ones, but be somewhat quick. you'll have like 2 minutes, and 10 solved with no error. Verify if the moves of the easy ones are thought right.

Having a gold membership gives you a slight edge on having a better dedication, so its better to focus on accuracy than on speed. if you have less time left, try some really attacking move.

After your first two tries by trying this method, you'll get used to solving the easy ones with a good accuracy, and will have enough time remaining on the clock to solve the somewhat-hard ones

That's what I do. I got 16 in the first minute today (a record) but failed at 24

I do that too, and I think my highest is 25

Same. My highest 26 on my dad’s phone

It just seems that everyone else has a better score than me...

When I am solving "normal" tactics, I try to be somewhat quick about it, but trying to really understand the position and themes at play. It takes longer to devote this extra time for each tactic - but in the long run, it really improves your pattern recognition.  This ability in turn, really helps your puzzle rush. There are many chess players stronger puzzle rush players than me, but I am using this fun rush to improve my "real" chess  (and just have some fun adrenaline rush along the way). 

Another tip I figured out on my own regarding puzzle rush, is that the "easy" puzzles (or "easier" anyway) are first and get progressively tougher. Hang on, that's not all ... (if it was then everyone would be thinking along the lines of "well, yeah duh.")

Knowing that the puzzles are easier at first means that to speed through them faster, keep in mind that these are "easy" puzzles and so the solution is simple. For instance, when you start puzzle rush: look for mate in 1 or 2 and the common backrank motifs; when your score goes up and you are still going, begin to think a bit more complex (like pins or skewers). Finally, by the end, the puzzles will be more difficult and incorporate desperado and interference motifs. 

Hope this helps 

p.s. maybe by this forum, I can pick up a few pointers from the elite puzzle rush-ers

Thank you very much for your tip. It is really good and I will make sure to keep all of that in mind. Come to think of it, it is really accurate. Thanks again.

No, it is just the case that higher score puzzle rush players are less ashamed to post in a puzzle rush forum and that the ones posting here are more likely to brag (or "indirectly" mention their [fairly high] records). I know several chess.com members with records of 5 or less in puzzle rush. If that is your ability, so what? Everyone begins somewhere - if your score is much higher than that: then congratulations, but realize that it took learning and time to achieve this and the other person likely didn't devote such resources into chess yet.

You're right. Thinking that I am the worst won't get me anywhere. It is not only wrong. I should just try to listen to your tips and get better...

I got 15 once.   I got very lucky.  Take time on the first 5 or 10 then take time and focus.  If you get to a one where you have no idea what to do just take your best guess.   

Do lots of tactics, mostly the chess "mentor ones" (under "old lessons")

guys our puzzle rush scores are so close i have like 24 or 25 !

Nope you have 23 Joseph.

I've gotten 27 like 10 times!  Never anything more! ARGH!

ugh thats unfortunate 

Haha... me and you both need to get something better.