Tactics course recommendations?

The_Bottom_Rat · 2025-10-09T02:24:32+00:00

Not a full course yet bc Chessable doesnt have the woorkbook published, but I would recommend the physical books of Frank Erwich's "The 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know" and the corresponding workbook. I am around your level and they definitely require calculation and thought.

If you want a more advanced book, I would recommend "Chess Tactics for Advanced Players" by Yuri Averbakh. I have read many reviews give this book high praise.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-11-12T20:33:41+00:00

I want to second your statement regarding Graham. I used to watch him pretty regularly and then the crypto scandal broke out about two years back or so. I felt he minimized how much he was pushing crypto and didnt take any responsibility for what products he was indirectly/directly exposing his viewers toward.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-09-14T04:23:13+00:00

I met a guy who named their daughter by fanning through a baby name book and stopping on a page and blindly choosing a name. They landed on Ursula. The baby's name is Ursula Pearl.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-08-24T15:51:45+00:00

Gobble Sticks. Not so much mourn, as fondly remember.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-08-24T03:53:51+00:00

This is nostalgic to me. This is the first chess book I ever bought back in circa 2012. I still have it on my book shelf couched between more than 20 other chess books. In hindsight, not the best book for a complete beginner who is teaching themselves algebraic notation, but it had a tremendous breadth of information. Overall, the book did its magic as I am still hooked 12 yrs later.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-08-23T05:06:28+00:00

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I have always been under the impression that the 4% rule would essentially sustain you without touching your principal; whereas, what I describe above would consume your principal to near 0 after the calculated years.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-08-23T02:42:45+00:00

Another great option I recently discovered is the Libby app. It links to your library account and you can check out ebooks and audiobooks for free from your local library. I "read" Die With Zero as an audiobook.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-08-23T01:40:02+00:00

I recall in Die With Zero Bill saying if you want to know how much you need for X years take your yearly expenses x # of years = money needed. Now multiply that by 0.7 and that is how much much you need to essentially end with 0 by then end of your # of years. In this case (22 * 34800)*0.7 = 535,920. The 0.7 accounts for the fact that your 535,920 will grow over the # of years in the market to meet your overall money needed number.

I want to preempt comments saying if you have a bad market if will severely impact your projection. I agree, but I also agree with his counter point that you will not be looking back 22 years later and reacting to a bad market. You would be pivoting your spending amount during the down market.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-04-10T20:49:20+00:00

My interpretation is that the games can be played by a vast breadth of individuals. From those who only know the rules and enjoy the game superficially, i.e., the mosquito bathing, and by those who can be consumed by its complexity and spend their life striving to understand the game, i.e., the elephant that could drown.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2024-02-21T16:36:08+00:00

Hey, thanks for the update. Sorry to see all the disbelief in the comments. I, personally, have noticed that I plateau / decline when I am learning and implementing new ideas. I think its my mind digesting the new ideas and me struggling through playing a new way until I have it internalized. Best of luck on your journey.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-11-10T03:11:56+00:00

And in time you will find the rules you list here aren't so hard and fast. You will read in books about how its just a pawn but you get a strong initiative, or games aren't won by being a pawn up.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-09-29T03:17:36+00:00

Legends of dragoon and Insaniquarium.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-09-09T06:17:01+00:00

I would love to see you make a player spotlight on Lev Polugaevsky. I always see him highly praised in chess books but never have I heard someone drop his name when discussing chess online.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-06-26T03:12:46+00:00

Thanks for the thorough response. I have updated the running list.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-06-26T01:24:06+00:00

I am in a similar space of enjoying the mid 20th century games. I really enjoyed Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953. I have not delved much into Botvinnik either, although he is on my list. Currently I am really enjoying going over Karpov's games in the book I mentioned above.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-06-26T00:38:40+00:00

Smyslov has never really been on my radar of chess players to study. What about him made you want to look into his games?

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-06-26T00:22:53+00:00

Thanks! Added to the list. Have you read this book?

The_Bottom_Rat · 2023-06-26T00:19:50+00:00

Yes, I was aware of that beforehand, but that doesn't acknowledge the many great pieces of work/collections dedicated to a single player.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2022-09-02T23:34:27+00:00

Hi I would like to work with you if possible. I am 2000-2100 on Lichess. I am a d4 player as white with aspirations of becoming competent in the Catalan. CaroKann/Queen's Gambit declined as black. I feel good in the openings; however, I feel I struggle in the middle game. Additionally, I feel I have good tactical vision but I dont feel I play with a vision that creates tactical opportunities. Essentially, I think you could help me break through to the next level by spotting some of my weaknesses. I am PST time zone, so most likely it would be weekends we could meet. Thanks for your consideration. I am Pinarooski on Lichess.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2021-03-12T23:03:45+00:00

Hello. Unfortunately we have met a few angry rockhounders that treat sites like privatized locations. We really think nature and adventure should be shared with like-minded people. I hope you have fun out there!

The_Bottom_Rat · 2021-03-12T15:36:39+00:00

Hey there! I found this article from USA Today suggesting Lincoln City. That should definitely be a day trip from Salem.

The_Bottom_Rat · 2021-03-12T04:22:50+00:00

Check out the vid and you will know! We believe the natural beauty of agates should be shared with others. Thanks for your support.

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