The best way to train tactics is to study tactical patterns, in grouped sets, and repeat the cycle a few times! Study Tactical Patterns in Sets Sorted by Motif Image: Tactical Patterns Bundle Deal Now, for the purpose of learning tactical patterns, we can borrow 2 ideas from the flashcard method to find this simple, but highly effective, solution: Furthermore, by repeating the cycle a few times you can engrave the information in your memory. By working your way through a set of well-designed flashcards, you can learn a lot of new information in a surprisingly short amount of time. A flashcard holds a small amount of information that can be learned rather easily. I’m sure you’ve heard about the flashcard training method. And it’s surprisingly simple! Borrowing a Few Ideas From the Flashcard Training Method The good news is that there is an excellent solution that works very well for this type of learning. If you pause to think a bit you may remember forks, pins and skewers, discovered attacks, maybe a few more… but the list goes on, there is removing the defender, x-ray, clearance, overloading, attraction, interference, and more… Maybe you’ve heard about them but have you ever studied them, one at a time? How many tactical patterns can I recall off the top of my head? To further spell out the problem, ask yourself: Therefore, solving random puzzles is not an effective way to learn them all. Why the Old Way Isn’t Good EnoughĪ good solution starts with a good understanding of the problem! To that end, here is quick summary of the problem: The tactical combinations that appear in chess puzzles often share recognizable patterns, also known as “tactical ideas”, “themes” or “motifs.” There are, and this is the crux of the matter, MANY tactical ideas that exist. So now I will reveal the 2 things that will totally change the way you train tactics and once you start doing this, you will notice a transformation in your ability to recognize tactical patterns. …when I considered my training methods from my student’s perspective, a better way to train tactics became very clear to me. Looking back, this was an important moment because… Am I doing it right? Is there a better way? This also made me question my usual approach to training tactics. I wanted to make a special effort to give him the best training I could. I never even questioned how effective it was.īut then something happened that made me think a bit further.Īt the time I was coaching a very talented young chess player. I’ll admit, for a long time this is what I used to do. If you take a moment to think about it, how do YOU train tactics? Do you have a particular approach?įor most people their tactical training consists of solving tons of random puzzles. What is the best way to train tactics? A Better Way to Train Tactics Your ability to find winning tactics in your own games rely heavily on how quickly you can recognize tactical patterns.Ĭhess players instinctively know that tactics are important, it’s indisputable.