Temposchlucker

 Robert uses the same book as me, which is handy because I have seen the problem before. White to move 6k1/4brpp/r1p1pp1B/p3q3/2P1N3/PP4Q1/2n3PP/3R1R1K w - - 0 22  Orange square - target. Targets are pieces or PoPs (points of pressure) that lie on the LoA (line of attack) from attacker to piece. f8 is a bit surprising, but it is on the LoAs from the white roos towards the black king. They converge on f8. Red circle - defender. Piece with a function. The defenders are restricted in their movements. By forcing the defenders to fulfill their duties you can win a crucial tempo that makes the combination work. 22.Nf6+ Bxf6   now the bishop has a double function. Or actualy a triple function: it must defend the invasion square d8 it must defend Qe5 it must keep the f-file closed 23.Qxe5 Bxe5 make use of the overloaded black bishop. The invasion square d8 is no longer defended. Notice how the white attack follows the change of functions. Essentially, white has won a tempo her...

  Another mysterious subject is the Tempo.  CM Dan Heisman was een advocate of the CCT method, which is a crude method to drum up a series of candidate moves. Black to move 4r1k1/1p4bp/3qp3/5pp1/Q4N2/2P2PP1/PP5P/1K2R3 b - - 0 23 Slingerland, F. vs. Pijpers, A., Leiden 2013 Source  1001 Chess Exercises for Advanced Club Players There is some sort of tempo balance here. Black wants to take the white knight, but he must first bring his rook into safety. 1. ... b5  in order to chase the white queen away or to a place where the black rook can attack her in a safe way. (notice the redundant candidate moves of CCT 1. ... Ra8 1. ... gxf4 1. ... Qxf4  1. ... Bxc3 1. ... Qd3+ 1. ... Qd1+ 1. ... e5 ) 2.Qxb5 Rb8 3.Qd3    Now black needs still a tempo 3. ... Qb6 Finally a tempo that cannot be parried with a counter tempo! Notice how logic prunes the list of potential candidate moves rigorously.

 We are making the next step. We already have extensively treated the first two ways to gain profit from tactics: double (duplo) attack trap (mate) The double attack is based on time (tempi). The trap is based on space. Function Now it is time to get a better idea about function. In the previous post I discovered that function revolves around the balance between attackers and defenders of a target. What do we know? When is a piece hanging? [1:0] 1 attacker, 0 defenders. [2:1] 2 attackers, 1 defender In general when there is 1 attacker more than defenders LPDO [0:0] 0 attackers, 0 defenders In general a target is vulnerable for tactics when it is not defended B.A.D. (Barely Adequate Defended) [1:1] 1 attacker, 1 defender [2:2] 2 attackers, 2 defenders [3:3] 3 attackers, 3 defenders A target is B.A.D. when the amount of attackers and defenders are in balance. The target with the most defenders is the most vulnerable, The more defenders, the higher the chance that one of the defenders...

 Most of the PoPLoAFun seems to be automated to a certain degree. There is one part that must still be done by System 2 though: FUNction. Let's see whether we can change that. White to move. Red circle = point of pressure. There are 3 PoPs (points of pressure) here. Considered separately, every PoP is defended well. But by taking out the defenders in the right order, it is possible to let the defense collapse. Rd7 takes out the Queen and pawn e5. Bb2+ takes out the defender of f8 Viewed in this light, the position becomes fairly straightforward. This reflects what I noticed during the tournament: tactical combinations are decided by imbalances on the FUNction level. All defense is well organized separately, but by putting stress on it in the right order, a certain defender collapses under the pressure. Due to a double function or a restriction in mobility.

 Somehow the term mini skill emerged during my investigations. So far it was based on a gut feeling and not on a proper definition. Let's see whether we can find out more. Robert came up with the following position: 5r1k/2q4b/p3p2Q/1pp4p/8/1P3r2/P1P4P/1KBR2R1 w - - 3 27  Saric, I. vs. Bosiocic, M. I see the following salient cues: Qxf8 mate if it wasn't voor the defender Rf3 Qg7 mate if it wasn't for the defender Qc7 Bb2 mate if it wasn't for the defenders Qc7-e5 and Rf8-Rf3 So I guess that finding the defender is a mini skill. When we find a defender, the next logical step is the question "can we annihilate the defender?". With tempo would be nice. 1. Rd7 deflects the Qc7 with tempo (Qxh7#). 1. ... Qxd7 2.Bb2+ can only be defended by the self-pin of a rook, after which f8 becomes vulnerable for invasion. So the following mini skills emerge: See the salient cues (the mates) Find the defenders Annihilate the defenders with tempo The logical narrative is the gu...

What are the mate it ones that take me some time? What do they have in common? White to move  3R4/1p6/1K6/5p1p/2k4P/4Bp2/1PB3p1/4q3 w - - 0 14 I noticed two elements that take me time. When there are a lot of empty squares around the king (like in the diagram) When certain pieces have a FUNction (are pinned, for instance), so that they don't have their usual reach Point 1 seems to indicate that all my attempts in the past to see the auras of the pieces have failed. My main rating progress (from 1530 to 1780) back in 2004 was due to studying mate in 1 from Polgars brick. I noticed the change in vision from pieces to squares, back then. So I will investigate whether applying the Trick will have an influence on the mini skill of seeing the auras of the pieces.

 My previous tournament back in december lead to a clear conclusion: my weakest point was making plans for the endgame, followed by a lack of  knowledge (skill) of endgame specific tactics. (promotion, sacrifices, key squares, zugzwang, fortress, stalemate, trebuchet et cetera). Expected benefit from specific endgame training: 150 points. Back in December I performed miserably, and I ended up in a lot of endings which were generally better or equal, and I screwed them all up, spilling half points all over the shop. In May this year I made a discovery about the best method of training for any skill (discovery of The Trick). I decided to swallow my pride and gave up the idea to focus on endgame planning for the moment. Instead I wanted to prove my ideas about the Trick. Proof is more important than rating points. The past tournament this July showed that the Trick is usable and decisive for each and every game. In all my wins (4 times), my losses (3 times) and my draws (2 times)...

 According to mr. Caveman there are 180 categories of logical patterns, while there are 60 categories  of one-movers. That doesn't sound too bad. But the one-movers live in the arena of the tempo battle. So while the categories are simple enough, the subtleties of the tempi adds a layer of complexity over the one-movers. The general approach of CCT is way too coarse grained to be of much use here. On the one hand there is too much redundancy in the method (too many false flags), while on the other hand the intricacies threaten to drown in the noise. White to move r1b4r/1p2kp1p/pqnppbpB/8/2BPP3/4Q3/PP2NPPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 17 Aabling T., J. vs. Hreinsson, H., Iceland 2013/14 I consider chapter 2 In-Between moves as the most important chapter of 1001 Chess Exercises for Advanced Club Players by Ehrwich. Notice how after the move 17.e5 a whole plethora of potential one-movers springs into life. All not good enough, yet you have to check them all. It reveals that Bf6 has no esca...

 The following 3 diagrams share the same logical pattern. All 3 positions are larded with supportive one-movers. Let those not distract you. Logical patterns concern the whole combination. Albeit that the one-movers might steer the combination in a complete different direction. Let that not distract you.

 Yesterday I participated in a simul. There were 14 participants and the simul was given by a Fide Master. I didn't exactly measure it, but at average he needed 4 seconds per move. Which meant that I had to make a move every 56 seconds. I could keep up into the middlegame, until I was compelled to shift gears from System 1 to System 2. All of a sudden, 56 seconds was not enough to make a reasonable move anymore. So when he stood at my board, I was obliged to play a move which I knew wasn't good. It costed me a pawn and it caused weaknesses in my position. His plan was simple: in the opening: develop and do nothing weird in the middlegame: trade everything that is dangerous wait for my mistake trade off every piece and convert the game to a win When the first participants began to drop out, matters start to become worse. He needs lesser and lesser time before he stands in front of you. A master is somebody who can play the one- and two-movers in every part of the game. An expert...

 The method I advocate to absorb logical patterns is based on understanding. Make every move logical, and System 1 will connect the pattern to the logic. Like the image of a word is connected to its meaning. Once you develop an eye for it, you will discover a whole host of one- and two-movers that garnish your combination. Take the following example: Black to move 4r3/1p3k1r/p1P2bp1/3p4/PP1PqP2/1N2RRP1/4Q3/6K1 b - - 0 45 Turov, M. vs. Movsesian, S., Wijk aan Zee 2013 The most principled variation goes as follows: 45. ... Qb1+ 46. Qf1 Reh8 47. Qxb1 Rh1+ 48. Kf2 R8h2# The PoPLoAFun system is ideally suited to identify defensive resources. Because defence is about interrupting the LoA (line of attack). Let's see. White to move after 45. ... Qb1+ By focusing on the LoAs you can  immediately see all ways that white can try to dodge the bullet. 46. Kg2 46. Kf2 notice the difference. On f2 the king has no contact with the invasion square h2 46. Rf1 46 Qf1 46. Qe1 46. Qd1 just giving ...

 I miss a lot of one-move tactics. That may sound silly at first. Yet pay attention! We can easily construct the solution of one-move tactics with System 2. So easy, that it might look as an area that poses no problems. The point is, that there is a difference between a constructed solution and an absorbed solution. A solution constructed by System 2: eats memory resources like time, energy and memory slots is error prone takes time to construct An absorbed solution retrieved by System 1: doesn't need memory resources is SEEN can be used in a visualization sequence takes no time Long variations consist of many one-movers. If you need resources for these one-movers, you will hit the limits of construction soon. The problem with examples is that they show  my limits. It is tempting to conclude that you have no problems whatsoever. But it is an invitation to have a look at your own limitations. First, solve this problem. Feel free to use Stockfish: White to move 5rk1/5ppp/p1q1P3/...

 This problem is from the chapter in-between-moves of GM Frank Ehrwich's course at Chessable 1001 Chess Exercises for Advanced Club Players. In my opinion it is the most important chapter of the course because it focuses on the tempo battle. Little is known about the tempo battle besides the crude CCT adage. The tempo battle is based on the stealth properties of the pieces that hide that they are severely limited in their possibilities due to their function. If you can develop an eye for these properties it would make a huge difference. White to move (!) 5bk1/5pp1/3q1P1p/4Q3/3N2P1/8/7P/1r2R2K w - - 1 54  What should be your main takeaway from this puzzle? (it isn't a puzzle anymore since the move 53. ... Rb1 is already played) White to move Red circle: pieces are overloaded due to their function Blue circle: passive targets. Notice how it doesn't make a difference when the knight goes to f3, thus providing extra coverage for the queen and the rook. The knight would be ove...

 Robert provided me with 10 PGNs of the tactical problems I'm currently studying. I wanted to see whether it is necessary to study the moves that lead to a combination. The answer is "yes, but not now". The study of those moves is not necessary to understand the logical mechanisms of a combination. And you must learn those mechanisms first. I'm inclined to say that about 2000 puzzles, tactics and mates, would be sufficient. The next step would be to do the same, but then for positional problems. Think of the woodpecker 2 puzzles and the positional puzzles of CM Can Kabadayi. Then you need a set of endgame puzzles, like the series from Perlo for instance. It are tactical puzzles too, but the geometrics of the endgame differ vastly. And you need indeed to study moves that precede combinations. Or actually every move that causes Stockfish to swing the eval bar with >2.0 points. I guess you can summarize that under the noumer "study master games". Is my first...

 When you ask yourself "what is this position about?" you might get a logical answer. This is your salient logical cue. Triggered by the logical pattern that you recognize. For instance: Black to move 4r2k/1p4bp/p2p2p1/3P4/P1R2p2/1P3Q1P/3qNPP1/6K1 b - - 0 28 Lalith, B, vs. Rathnakaran, K., Sharjah 2017 The problem is, you would love to grab Ne2 which is BPDO (Bad Pieces Drop Off). But you have a vulnerable backrank. So the logical question arises: can I take Ne2 in such way that I keep my back rank protected? As you see, the logic prunes your tree of analysis before you even start to think about moves. The move you are looking for must have an "additional punch" or in other words, must come with tempo. That is CCT, but now restrained beforehand by the logical conditions you have set. 28 ... Qe1+ puts the queen on the e-line, thus protecting e8 from a distance. And the check is the additional punch. Notice how much more fun solving puzzles has become!

 Back in 2000 I realized that when a 14 year old kid starts to beat up chess players who have 50 year or more experience under their belt, there must be some sort of trick that they apply. When Susan Polgar set her simul record in 2005, I did the math and came to the conclusion that whatever the trick was, it had to be subconscious. She used 2.6 second per move at average, including walking from one table to another, and there is no way that someone can think in such short amount of time. Hence I started my blog in 2005. Many red herrings were thrown at me by all kinds of chess authors, and I catched them all. In 2023 I ran out of red herrings, and I concocted some sort of method to educate my subconscious. It kind of worked, although it was obvious that it was far from efficient. At May 5th, 2026, finally all pieces of the puzzle fell into their place. In order to obtain the trick, you must absorb the logical patterns of a position, not so much the geometrical patterns. Since logi...

 When you learn the Trick, you get some Additional Capabilities for free: you start to see the beauty of chess you can visualize a variation once you have formulated the logical narrative you prune the tree of analysis which leads to speeding up your thinking dramatically All without any extra effort. I refrained from adding examples, since chess diagrams tend to distract chess players from the essence of what is being said. UPDATE I realized that it is not so easy to copy the Trick. After all, it took me 26 years to rid myself of all confusion. We talk about educating System 1. And System 1 and System 2 don't speak the same language. They don't communicate directly. Furthermore, there are a lot of methods out there that worked for their inventor, but not for almost everybody else. Since the inventors left out some crucial information concerning System 1, while their Systems 2 added confusing and redundant extra ideas. So is often visualization added, and the necessity to find...

In search for salient cues, I stumble again on my PoPLoAFun system. PoP = point of pressure LoA = line of attack Fun = function Take the following position. Diagram 1. White to move r1b2rk1/1pq1bppp/p3pn2/3n2N1/3R4/2N1B1P1/PPQ1PPBP/R5K1 w - - 0 15 Ni H. vs. Adly, A., Shenzen 2011 Let us first have a look on the balance of the points of pressure. Diagram 2. Same position. PoPs. White to move Then have a look at the lines of attack. Diagram 3. Same position. LoAs. White to move And the Functions (defenders, overloaded pieces etc.) Diagram 4. Same position. Functions. White to move And here you have it. Way too much information. And somewhere in this mess there a few essential salient cues. Less is more. When we can find a methodology to restrict the mind to the essential information, we might come further. Where to start? If there are any forcible imbalances in the position, then I suppose that the overloaded defenders should lead us the way.

 I have a set of 100 tactical problems. I use this to get a better idea of what salient cues I need to solve the problems. While investigating them I noticed different categories in which to divide the logic that is exposed by the problems. One such category is counting. Diagram 1. Black to move 5rk1/2p4p/1p1p1qpb/p1nPp3/2P1P3/1PN1B1Pb/P3B2P/2Q1R1K1 b - - 0 26 Pinho, P. vs. Gallagher, J., Gibraltar 2013 Attacking is about invasion. In order to decide where to invade, I need an overview of the focal points on the board. Diagram 2. Same position. Black to move  Red digits indicate the squares where white has the upper hand. Green digits indicate where black has the upperhand. The logic that I want to develop revolves around the invasion squares. Luring and trading and clearing and chasing etc. are the tools in the box to change the balance on the invasion squares. The salient cues are: a Queen on g2 or f1 is mate. Although black has the upperhand on f3, he cannot make use of it ...

 The Trick is learning the chess language. But once you speak it fluently, what are you going to write? The Trick is the most decisive element from novice to super grandmaster. But how much more do you need? How important is the story you are going to tell with the language?