Review: Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics for Easy Learning

Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics

Who is this book Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics aimed at?

Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics from the Games of Everyday Chess Players

One caveat though – this book is not for the rank beginners, since the problems are not arranged by any theme and the answers can be difficult and lengthy for them.

So if you are probably somewhere in the range of ELO 1000 – 1600, solving this book’s puzzles every day should help in your gameplay as they will simulate a real chess game.

This training method is best suited for the serious beginner and helps as a daily warm-up course. If you are using the Kindle version use it while commuting or waiting. 

I know this sounds a bit difficult to understand as the usual perception is that the harder the problem the better the result. Trust me, it’s crucially important to master BASIC tactics.

It doesn’t matter if you can solve most of the 4-5 mover tactics if you are regularly missing on the smaller 1 and 2 movers. I hope this explains why people stagnate for years despite doing hard work studying tactics daily.  You must burn in the basic patterns into your subconscious mind, so it doesn’t even require any thought.

In the well-optimized Kindle version, you get one problem per page with the answer seen on the next page. This helps to keep the answer hidden from prying eyes. If the answer is not possible just flip the page!

Pros of this book:

• Contains a huge number of chess positions (1001 to be precise)
• Diagrams are clear and easy to view
• Problems are not too hard just apt for post-beginners.
• Problems are taken from real games and are not composed.
• Each position has additional meta info like players names, ratings, date of the game, etc
• Puzzles in this book are from many sources like blitz, correspondence, rated USCF games, weekend tournaments, scholastic tournaments, etc
• Solutions are easily understood.
• Affordable price.
• If you are a Kindle owner, you’ll love it as it is specifically for Kindle with problem  and solutions on an alternate page
• A random mix of tactical themes (pins, forks, skewers, double attacks, etc)

Cons of this book:

• Has no grading of tactical themes.
• Not apt for higher levels as the positions may be easy for them.

Or from Amazon India, if you are from India

 This Kindle e-book from Amazon.com is available at a price of less than $5 in the US, the Kindle e-book is a steal.

However, prices are subject to change.

For the post-beginner up to 1400 ELO rated player. So for those of you above 1800 ELO, there are other good books like

Chess Tactics – Volume 2: Sharpen your tactical ability daily on your way to mastery or

Improve Your Chess Tactics: 700 Practical Lessons & Exercises

Chess Tactics for Champions: A step-by-step guide to using tactics and combinations

Tournament Chess Set Triple Weighted – 100% satisfied!

Psychology of Chess Weaknesses | 4 Easy Hacks

9 EASY Steps to Online Chess Classes – Golden Chess Centre

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Kish

Kish is an editor and chief coach with a passion to teach. He works in the Golden Chess Centre, as a coach assisting the Chess kids with everything from the basics of Chess to teaching students how to use thinking tools. A lifelong learner himself, he has always been fascinated by the use of thinking techniques in chess and education. He creates chess resources based on his two decades of experience in the chess Teaching arena (and always wants to learn from others).
His Chess workshops and online chess classes can be booked in advance based on appointment.

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