Understanding

 This is a tricky one. I'm going to use a rather random example I had trouble with. YMMV and if you see it without any trouble, still try to understand what I want to convey.

We are searching for the rules that govern the acquisition of understanding in the most effective way. First of all, we must abandon all rules that are commonplace and that are just a waste of time.

• don't bother about visualisation
• don't waste your time with feeling the need to make an effort
• you are in learning modus here, so don't waste your time with trying to find the solution yourself, because you need elements that you haven't learned yet. There is no need to invent them yourself.
• when the tree of analysis becomes bushy, trial and error is a waste of time

What you need is to get an understanding of what you are trying to accomplish in a position. It starts with the goal. When you know the end goal, you can judge for every move whether it contributes to the goal or not.

White to move

2r1r1k1/ppp1bppp/8/n4b2/2PPqB2/P4N2/4BPPP/R1Q1R1K1 w - - 0 18

What is the training plan? We start with the solution. If you see the solution, this problem is too easy for you. Let's assume you don't see the solution.

You don't see the solution, because you lack some patterns. So it makes no sense to press yourself to come up with a solution. There is no need to invent every wheel yourself. As a matter of fact, that is a waste of time.

Step 1: imagine what the end goal might look like. Don't get distracted by my formulation, let Stockfish help you.

The end goal :

White to move

The end goal is a double attack on Na5 and Bf5.

Step 2. Imagine what is needed to obtain that goal:

• clear the e-file with tempo
• chase away the defender of f5 with tempo

Here you see how illogical it is to start with CCT. Of course you need tempi to execute your plan. But you need a plan first. Trying to find a plan while randomly looking at tempo moves is the other way around. Of course that might work, occasionally. Just as trial and error might work occasionally. But we are trying to optimize our training method. We are still in the study room. So we start at the beginning. Which is the end. If you know what I mean.

We must take away the squares on the diagonal b1-f5 from the black queen. Effectively we talk about c2 and d3. This leads to the first candidate move 1.Bd1. This is a multipurpose move.

• it clears the e-file
• it comes with tempo
• it takes away c2

1. ... Qd3

Step 3.

The black queen still defends Bf5. Can we chase her away?

2.Re3 is the only move that does that without any drawbacks, other than Qxc4 gaining a white pawn.

Step 4. Execute the plan.

After 2.Re3 Qxc4 you can execute the initial plan

When you have completed the four steps, you will notice:

• the solution is no longer complex. Since it is logical.
• since the solution is simple, it is easy to recall. Because you can always reconstruct the missing parts.
• now you can visualize the whole line with ease. It is silly to try it the other way around.

This logical narrative is what you want from the problem. But you can obtain a lot more.

Distraction.

You might get distracted by the fact that you might be able to trap the black queen. Take your time, and work out the logical steps how the queen will always be able to escape.

Transfer.

Now you have found the logical narrative, it is the right moment to ask: how can I get faster to the solution in future similar positions.

You start with LPDO. The knight on a5 is simple begging to be caught. How can you catch an LPDO-piece? There are two methods:

• trap it
• make it a part of a double attack

In this particular case, you are not going to trap the beast. But a second potential target readily reports itself: Bf5. From here on, you can start to build your narrative.