I started playing chess in the 80’s. I had about a 1560 rating after playing a hand full of tournaments. I haven’t played serious chess for many years. I would like to get back into it and eventually attend tournaments again.
How should I start my training again? I own Chessmaster 11 for the PC and I tried Fritz 9 and like it a lot. I believe I should be concentrating on tactical training and endgame training as well. I would like to use the computer (PC or Mac) in my training rather than using just a book. I feel a book will be much more time consuming especially having to manually set up the chessboard all the time. I would like to have a program instruct me just like a book would, except have all of the puzzles and/or board positions set up and ready to go. I think it would be a major time saver. I will probably dedicate at least an hour a day, or maybe even more on weekends.
I tried to Google these topics but my head almost exploded. I would like to do things right off the bat that will help me improve and not hinder my learning. Hopefully someone can lead me in the proper direction. Thanks.
For tactics training, I like to use the Chess Tactics Server. It’s free, and
it uses positions from real games. Just google “Chess Tactics Server”
to find it.
Thanks Jim. I tried the site last night. I like it, but I was looking more for an instructional type program or site. I think the site will be great when I want to test my tactics. At this point I would like to study tactics without being timed. I felt like I was being rushed.
As a side note, I found a 1001 Tactics program for the Mac that runs as a widget. I was doing some problems with that program. The program lets you know if you picked the correct first move and after that it has a small engine that will play out Black’s moves. I found a few positions that I was not sure how to follow up the first move, so I used Chessmaster 10 (on my PC) to help with that. It would be great if I could have those positions already in Chessmaster so I don’t need to waste time setting up the board.
For what I am looking to do, would Fritz or Shredder be any better? I like the Josh Waitzkin’s Academy lessons on the Chessmaster, but there are not enough of them.
I play the CTS and just ignore the time. The only think I take active interest in is the percentage of solved problems. The time really only affects your rating rather than your successes, so just don’t let it make you feel rushed.
I also purchased Personal Chess Trainer (around $35) which I like to use… but don’t have enought time to use properly. I like it’s approach though. It is based upon recognition rather than instruction. Occasionally I find myself in a game thinking “I recognize this!”.
I’ve heard some good things about a set of products from Toby Chess who sells primarily through an eBay story. I plan to try their products later this summer.