In a previous newsletter, I mentioned that I have started on a new book project. I now want to share the introduction from the first book in the series. You will also be able to download a free chapter from the first book in the bottom of the newsletter.
Great project, I really like the style. I personally think that chess improvement is much like running, lots and lots of repetition of slightly difficult problems.
I was wondering how you bulk formatted the problems to display with the boards and pieces? I'm trying to automate it in python but struggling.
Rather than creating PDF with multiple problems per page, I was just creating little A6 cards which I could review. It is more expensive than booklets, but I just find it an easier format. I also went with Python and managed to get it working.
Thanks! I'll take you up on it. I'm interested to figure out how to properly filter puzzles, I have a few ideas using the tags, and also features of the FEN string, but it would be helpful to see someone who has had experience filtering and how you used python to filter.
chessable and chesstempo versions would be useful as well. I have been going through the woodpecker method on chess tempo where I bought the book and it allows quite a lot of modalities , looping, spaced repetition, etc. to work through the puzzles, track progress, ...
Actually forgot chesstempo sells books! Might look into it :) Chessable wants annotations for all solutions, which will take time when the whole series is complete with 16000 puzzles 🧩
I have talked to Chessable about it. They would like me to annotate all the solutions, which seems logical. However, it will take me a very long time to annotate soo many puzzles, so it is an idea on the drawing board, but it might have to wait for a while..
Indeed, it is extra work, but your effort will be available to the wider chess community. I have bought your book from amazon and enjoying it. I don't mind working with paper or electronic books. Nowadays, the younger chess fans consider "chessable" like ebooks only.
I'm happy to hear that! I agree about that. I also like the features on Chessable, so I could see it working out. I would however like to publish the whole series first, before I start on another big project ;)
Hi Martin,
Great project, I really like the style. I personally think that chess improvement is much like running, lots and lots of repetition of slightly difficult problems.
I was wondering how you bulk formatted the problems to display with the boards and pieces? I'm trying to automate it in python but struggling.
Made a custom python script for it :) what is your idea?
Rather than creating PDF with multiple problems per page, I was just creating little A6 cards which I could review. It is more expensive than booklets, but I just find it an easier format. I also went with Python and managed to get it working.
I can send you some code if you want to fiddle with the code I used ?
Thanks! I'll take you up on it. I'm interested to figure out how to properly filter puzzles, I have a few ideas using the tags, and also features of the FEN string, but it would be helpful to see someone who has had experience filtering and how you used python to filter.
Fascinating. I'm certainly looking forward to the beginner-level books!
chessable and chesstempo versions would be useful as well. I have been going through the woodpecker method on chess tempo where I bought the book and it allows quite a lot of modalities , looping, spaced repetition, etc. to work through the puzzles, track progress, ...
Actually forgot chesstempo sells books! Might look into it :) Chessable wants annotations for all solutions, which will take time when the whole series is complete with 16000 puzzles 🧩
Are you planning to provide the book in chessable format?
I have talked to Chessable about it. They would like me to annotate all the solutions, which seems logical. However, it will take me a very long time to annotate soo many puzzles, so it is an idea on the drawing board, but it might have to wait for a while..
Indeed, it is extra work, but your effort will be available to the wider chess community. I have bought your book from amazon and enjoying it. I don't mind working with paper or electronic books. Nowadays, the younger chess fans consider "chessable" like ebooks only.
I'm happy to hear that! I agree about that. I also like the features on Chessable, so I could see it working out. I would however like to publish the whole series first, before I start on another big project ;)
Very interesting, but it is a bit different to play both sides, unlike an online puzzle where you move against the computer.
That is actually a good point! It should make one less likely to guess, I hope. I will add your point to the introduction.
Very interesting project; I will check it out!
Thanks! Working hard to finish the first two books
I actually think it’s possible https://www.sjakkbutikken.no/produkter/the-tactics-ladder-volume-1/