Why you should start doing Chess Puzzles
Chess has been revolutionized by an addition of time element into it. The addition has made it closer to life across all is facets, is dictated by time. The element has therefore added another skill requirement dimension to the sport: the sport moved from just a thinking-and-move exercise but to a how-quick-can-you-generate-an-idea-critically-analyze it-implement-it- and- press – the -clock exercise.
People are now judged, by the game that is, on how best they knit winning combinations within a confined time. The importance of time is highlighted by its inclusion in the list of determinants for winning or losing in the chess rules. Opponent whose flag drops or runs out of time loses a game. Then how do players beat time? Why are other players better than others on time? Could it be that they superhuman with super brains? Could it be sheer luck or may be get some ancestral assistance?
The article is intended to give one of the trade secrets of these superhumans- a trade secrets that have been used for ages and has yielded positive results for players. The secret is built on the premise that there is nothing new under the sign as well as on the chess board. Although chess has been one of the most complex and hard to solve math and probability problems, chances of having the same piece arrangement on the board remains high.
To put into perspective, the number of distinct chess positions after White’s first move is 20 (16 pawn moves and 4 knight moves). There are 400 distinct chess positions after two moves (first move for White, followed by first move for Black). There are 5 362 distinct chess positions or 8 902 total positions after three moves (White’s second move). There are 71 852 distinct chess positions or 197 742 total positions after four moves (two moves for White and two moves for Black).
There are 809 896 distinct positions or 4 897 256 total positions after 5 moves. There are 9 132 484 distinct positions or 120 921 506 total positions after 6 moves (three moves for White and three moves for Black).
The total number of chess positions after 7 moves is 3 284 294 545. The total number of chess positions is about 2×10 to the 46 powers. Despite this complex mathematics and probability function, the occurrences of the same positions on the games have dominated the game of chess in the recent times and better players have taken advantage of that.
They have now included chess puzzles and problems in their training schedules. Chess puzzles or problems are tactically arranged situations on the board involving any number of pieces which demand solving. Solving them involves recognizing a sequence of moves that can be weaved to either gain advantage, win material or mate an opposite color piece. Solving tactical chess puzzles is a very common chess teaching technique.
Although it is the likelihood of the same position occurring on the board remains a luck and probability issue, the recognition of certain patterns can help to find a good move or plan in another position.
A collection of this recognized patterns further helps players deploy tactics quicker in common positions and reduces time spent thinking about what to do next. Because the problems/puzzles involved a few moves, it gives players a much need sense or achievement when solved.
Newspapers and magazines used to traditional places for the puzzles but were to be knocked out by chess engines and applications that came to the fore in late 19th centuries. Several of these applications have several of these puzzles which test various skills and introduce various tactics.
The leading one and recommended by me is Chess Tactics ( Pro) by android. Get it.
Checkmate!
