Tactics by rating
Beginner tactics under 800
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Use this band as a training level, not a label for the player. The guide explains what the positions demand, how to solve them deliberately, and when you are ready for the next step.
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What this rating band tests
At this level the largest gains come from seeing what is already attacked: loose pieces, checks in one, and a mate on the back rank. The goal is not long calculation; it is a reliable one-move safety scan before every move.
This local band contains 97 positions. Puzzle ratings measure how often solvers find a position, not your over-the-board strength, and numbers do not transfer exactly between sites. Use the band as a difficulty dial: aim for positions that make you calculate but still let you explain the solution afterwards.
The mistake to watch for
Moving instantly because a check looks exciting. First ask whether the checked king can capture, block, or simply step away, then check whether your own queen or rook is hanging.
Common themes in this set
These are the most frequent authored motif guides represented in the band. Learn a pattern first, then return to the mixed trainer so the label is no longer given away.
Three positions to calculate
Do not move immediately. List candidates, calculate the best defence, and state the final result before trying your move on the board.
Position rated 437
33... Rxd1#Position rated 674
29... Rd1+ 30. Rxd1 30... Qxd1#Position rated 798
32. Qh7#A focused training routine
- Name every check and capture before touching a piece.
- Solve in small sets of five with no guessing.
- After an error, replay the refutation once from the start.
- Finish with mate-in-one positions until the patterns feel immediate.
When to move up
Move to the next band when you regularly find the first move, can explain the opponent’s best defence, and can reconstruct the final position without guessing. If accuracy collapses, step back for a session and fix the process rather than chasing a larger number.