

Ep. 19: Do Chess Puzzles Really Help?
Feb 6, 2022
Dive into the intriguing world of chess puzzles and discover their true impact on skill enhancement. Explore common mistakes made by players of all levels, illustrated by a surprising blunder from a recent tournament. Uncover time-wasters in chess improvement, along with practical tips for more effective study habits. Delve into the importance of quality over quantity in puzzle practice, and find out about a recommended puzzle book tailored for amateurs. It's a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to sharpen their game!
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Episode notes
Caruana's Rare Rook Blunder
- Fabiano Caruana dropped a rook in time trouble at a Tata Steel tournament game, a rare mistake at grandmaster level.
- This shows even elite players can make oversights under pressure.
Club Game Endgame Lesson
- Neil won a pawn early in a club game and later checkmated his opponent due to a missed defensive pawn move.
- Classic endgame advice like moving the king to the center must always be checked tactically.
Don’t Mindlessly Review Master Games
- Avoid mindless reviewing of master games; play with no understanding gains nothing.
- Instead, isolate key positions and deeply analyze them for real improvement.