Comments on Druss Blog: Good progress with CT Art on my pocket PC

Generally I look to see if I have a tactical shot,...

2006-01-12T20:05:00.000Z

Generally I look to see if I have a tactical shot, then see if my opponent does. If I can't resolve one quickly, then I start looking for basic positional play.

The nice bonus about all this study is that I notice tactics far faster than I did originally, so I spend the same amount of time and catch more, or I spend less time catching the same amount of information.

You should see your play improving even while doin...

2006-01-12T15:24:00.000Z

You should see your play improving even while doing the circles. It isn't until AFTER you do the circles that you begin to see some real improvement, and that only when combined with OTHER types of chess study (strategy in particular). My FICS rating has gone up over 100 pts recently after finishing the circles and having done some intensive work with CTS. My OTB rating hasn't moved a whole lot, I have beaten my first Class A player and almost all of my errors that have led to lost games recently have been due to poor strategic decisions.

It is always good to find arguments in the afterma...

2006-01-11T23:37:00.000Z

It is always good to find arguments in the aftermath of a purchase:)

Ah, but when you solve CT Art problems you don't r...

2006-01-11T16:29:00.000Z

Ah, but when you solve CT Art problems you don't really have to think about being a pawn or two up. Usually you are playing for a mate, or winning a major piece. Occasionally it is just to win a minor piece, but never a pawn. So I find that I don't think about pieces being en prise so much.

Also, when the other side has a forced checkmate I find it is actually easier. Because I know all I have to do is find my better solution. And I know that I've got to start off with a check, so I don't feel danger.

I have to disagree slightly with your comment that...

2006-01-10T18:27:00.000Z

I have to disagree slightly with your comment that CT-ART doesn't help you keep up your sense of danger.

In many of the positions, if you don't play a forcing move, you get mated yourself, or else they show you Crafty's refutation of your "not-the-best" move.

That is annoying enough for me to always look at the other sides' possibilities in CT_ART.