Chess visualization training
Most people agree that studying tactics is probably the single most important task for the aspiring chess novice. Regularly solving tactics problems is the usual prescription for this, and there are both computer programs and websites such as the Chess Tactics Server to help with that. Tactics puzzles usually show a position and either black or white can gain a piece or mate by playing the correct combination. Solving many of these problems is said to improve board vision. A comment on an earlier post about free chess software for Linux made me aware of a java program with a different approach. The Chess Visualization Trainer (CVT) written by Dietrich Kappe gives problems without actually showing the board. For instance, it lets you decide if "e6" is a dark square or asks you if the position "White: K c6, R h3, P f3, and g4; black: K h5, N g6, P g5, and h6" with black to move is a mate.
In addition to the mate problems, it provides training material for the visualization of knight moves, and board diagonals. The probably most interesting feature, however, is the builtin chess engine that allows to play against the computer with the display lagging by a number of moves or not showing a part of the board. Therefore, this program might be a good thing to try for people who always wanted to learn to play blindfold chess.
I don't think that this kind of training is suitable for chess beginners like me, because I still have problems to visualize "combinations" with more than one move even when I see the starting position right in front of me. However, this might be interesting for more advanced players. The program is written in java and will work on most computers and operating systems. It can be started by clicking here without having to install anything. Of course, you can also download it to be able to use it without an internet connection.
In addition to the mate problems, it provides training material for the visualization of knight moves, and board diagonals. The probably most interesting feature, however, is the builtin chess engine that allows to play against the computer with the display lagging by a number of moves or not showing a part of the board. Therefore, this program might be a good thing to try for people who always wanted to learn to play blindfold chess.
I don't think that this kind of training is suitable for chess beginners like me, because I still have problems to visualize "combinations" with more than one move even when I see the starting position right in front of me. However, this might be interesting for more advanced players. The program is written in java and will work on most computers and operating systems. It can be started by clicking here without having to install anything. Of course, you can also download it to be able to use it without an internet connection.
posted by sciurus at 3:35 PM
4 Comments:
Interesting program. Thank's for bringing it to my attention.
Hello sciurus,
Of coarse this is not easy stuff (visualization). I read your burn out artical. One needs to just have fun with developing our chess skills. I am new blogger and have posted a couple of chess Vloggs for those just wanting to learn how to play. I plan on posting some fun video's in the next couple of weeks. http://pechesscast.blogspot.com/ Sorry, didn't see a way to contact you. If you have some questions or would like some helps. Contact me.
If you want to read about a practical new approach to chess visualization based on 800 positions taken from real games that will stretch your vision from 4 to 39 half-moves while expanding it from 1 to 2 to 3 sectors of the board, then check out my blog at
chess visualization blog.
This new approach to chess visualization training might be just the thing you need to work your chess visualization muscles!
Best of everything.
Interestingly, the position described in the text is not possible...
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