Tactics Tactics Tactics

After reading NM Dan Heisman chess nook articls on tactics gave the requirements on how to play, what he likes to call, REAL chess.

1. The knowledge of what Real Chess requires.
2. The desire to do it (if it is fun, you will – fun is an underrated factor as a reason to do things).
3. The opportunity to practice it (slow games at 90 minute or more per side are required).
4. Practicing it until you don't have to think about it – this is actually one of the easier parts, since at first you will think about it and it will be distracting, but if you play enough it becomes unconscious, like walking.
5. Practicing Real Chess consistently and not letting down just because you don't feel like doing the work each move. There is a fine line here between desire and being careful – no doubt, naturally careful players have an advantage starting out, just as players who are naturally good with spatial relationships also have an edge.

ref: http://www.jeremysilman.com/chess_thinking_cap/040703_part_4.html

The skill he's talking about is basically, calculating each of the openant's checks, captures, and threats, and calculating how you can deal with them all. You must do this for every single move! It's so obvious, but I know that I don't do it often enough. I simply don't have the time when playing a blitz game to calculate every possible move.

By understanding the tactical themes and calculating all possible moves in a game at 90 minutes per side, your game should improve to 1600 in no time. For me, 90 minutes per side, I can only play that once a week. I'm sure some days I could play a 3 hour game, but not every day. The easier way is to practice a 90/5 game with the computer. I get 90 minutes where the computer gets 5 minutes and plays at least at 1600 level. I'm sure I could do this every day.