ChessCalisthenics
ChessCalisthenics tactical exercises
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Tactical Training Without the Guessing
ChessCalisthenics is inspired by the De La Maza Seven Circles method of tactics training. De La Maza's method is based on two key insights: 1) the value of doing simple chess exercises and 2) the value of mastering tactical play. Our system builds on these two key insights.
Most chess instructional material poses problems for students to solve. The students, for their part, very often resort to guessing at the solution. For many, this is a frustrating experience that takes away the thrill and the joy of the game. We propose a totally different approach of tactical training that we refer to as "exercises without resistance," or ChessCalisthenics.
We present the student and the chess enthusiast with a specific tactical sequence, and ask him/her to simply replay as many examples as they need to master the tactical sequence. See this page for examples of ChessCalisthenics exercises. Our training CD's are different from the examples here.
With our CD's, each game is introduced at the specific position where the tactical sequence begins. An example of what we mean by a tactical sequence is a Knight sacrifice for two pawns or a two exchange combination that sets up a Bishop fork of the opposing King and a Rook.
Replaying combinations in a structured manner will build you a set of chess skills and create a store of chess knowledge without the drudgery of problem solving. If you take the leap of faith and try the exercises your game will benefit in many ways. Here are a few:
1) You will develop the ability to see more moves ahead than you can now.
2) You will more quickly spot certain tactical patterns.
3) You will develop your ability to accurately calculate potential combinations.
4) You will develop a deep appreciation for the relative values of the pieces.
5) You will be more disposed to evaluate potential sacrifices of material in your games.
6) You will more quickly appreciate why a certain sacrifice of material is a sound move.
7) You will develop the habit of scanning the entire board before you move a piece.
8) You will develop a better appreciation for positional concepts such as the overprotection of key squares.
Chess tactics training exercises for rapid chess improvement.
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- 0-1, 20-25 moves
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Short Wins
with the Black Pieces - Miniatures
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A good way to improve your opening play is to review annotated miniatures.
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