An example

Summary

• Solve the problem.
• Decompose the problem
• Train your vision with the result of the decomposition.
• Repeat the vision training for the 10% positions you had the most problems with initially
   

Step 1. Solve the problem.

Diagram 1

 I did solve this problem from CT. I'm not sure if I failed, or if it only took me a terrible lot of time. Anyhow, it ended up in my pile 10% worst performances. After I found the solution, I wasn't able to grasp the whole position. Time to take a better look at it.

Step 2. Decompose the problem.
The goal is to get a better grasp of the position. What are the elements of the combination? What defense is used? Can I make a narrative that tells the story of this combination?

 Diagram 2.
This element shows the tactical motif "double attack" against K and R with 1.Re8+
There are 3 defences against this:

• Annihilation of the attacker by 1... Rxe8 2.Rxe8+
• Blocking the line of attack by 1... Rf8
• Escape by 1... Kh7

Annihilation doesn't get rid of the attacker.
Blocking takes away a defender from another place.
Escape simply gives a rook away.
This is a typical example of a "duplo attack". White creates two threats with one move, and black has to defend against two threats with one move.

Diagram 3.
The next tactical motif: knightfork.
Re8+ clears the square e7 which gives the chance for the knightfork Ne7+
Currently Rf7 prevents the fork.
A fork is another example of a duplo attack: two threats with one move.

Diagram 4.
Tactical motif: overloading.
The black rook on f7 is overloaded. It has two tasks: protect e7 against the knightfork, and block the check with Rf8

Diagram 5.
Tactical motif: mate

After 1.Re8+ Kh7 2.Rxa8 there is still a threat left: 3.Rh8#
Black has two lines of defence:

• counter attack
• blocking the line of attack

 The counter attack 2.... Qxc2+ 3.Ka1 soon peters out so blocking the attack with 2.... Rf8 3.Rxf8+ Qxf8 4.Nxf8 is the only miserable option left.
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 Summary.
The initial position contains a combination with 4 tactical motifs. A narrative would tell something like this:
1.Re8+ is a double attack on Ra8 and Kg8. There are 3 lines of defence for black to choose from:

• Escape with 1....Kh7 which gives the rook on a8 away.
• Blocking the check with 1... Rf8 which gives the queen away due to knight fork 2.Ne7+
• Annihilation of the attacker with 1... Rxe8 2.Rxe8+ Rf8 3.Rxf8+ Qxf8 and black is lost.

After the decomposition of the position in its constituent components and rebuilding it with a little story, the position that initially looked complex, now has become very clear.

Step 3. Train your vision with the result of the decomposition.
Usually we stop after step 2. Or even worse, after step 1. But we only have had some training so far for our use of trial and error, and a little bit of logical thinking. But the real problem isn't addressed just jet. It took me an hour to transfer a complex position into a simple one. Now I see it as a simple position. But what is necessary to see it as a simple position right away? That's why I introduced step 3. I don't know what exactly, but we have to train our vision here, so the next time it will become easier to see any position with these motifs more simple.

What I do right now, is I look at the initial position, and I try to see all tactical motifs. I try to see all possible defences against each motif. I want the motifs and the important squares yell at me "over here, I'm over here!!". I want to see. Not to think. I want to learn the utmost of my mistakes, and prevent to make them ever again.

This step is still under construction.

Step 4. Repeat the vision training for the 10% positions you had the most problems with initially
There is a high probability that if my vision hasn't improved immediately after step 3, that I have forgotten the details within a month or more. Or less, in a worst case scenario. That's why I put this in ANKI and repeat the positions, until my vision becomes more steady.

90% of my failures are not so complex, which means that step 1 and 2 take 10-15 minutes to fully comprehend them, then I take 5-10 minutes to visualize the motifs before my minds eye, and skip step 4.

I hope the idea is more clear now.