@DanFouts said in #1:
> I am rated just over 2000 in puzzles, but that number is misleading, because I can only see 1 move at a time. When I do puzzles online, I have to have an actual board sitting next to me too, so I can play out the moves to see if my guess works or not. I just can't picture in my head how the board changes with each move, so I play it out on a real board, then if it works, I solve the online puzzle. I am very patient, and I will spend as much as 30 minutes on a single 2000 rated puzzle. The problem is, that doesn't work when you are playing a game. I am the guy who times out after 8 moves in a 30 minute game.
>
> I am fairly new to chess, and in my late 50's. I never really played as a kid, but watching many chess videos, it's apparent good players can see the board "in their head". I cannot. I have to see every move in real life before my brain can figure out what to do. Got any tips or suggestions?
how long are u actually playing? 1 year, 2 yrs...? if less then a year, then its normal. if more then 5 yrs i.e. then it means u didnt find a good way to practice that skill (moving at the wooden board while solving puzzle wont help it, u have to go out of the comfort zone and get that skill on the hard way by actually forcing urself to visualize and to remember!) or else, that u havent talent for that so u just cant.
also, sometimes some things we want come too slow and we have to build endurance to reach them... but most of the time if we fight hard enough for these - we do.
> I am rated just over 2000 in puzzles, but that number is misleading, because I can only see 1 move at a time. When I do puzzles online, I have to have an actual board sitting next to me too, so I can play out the moves to see if my guess works or not. I just can't picture in my head how the board changes with each move, so I play it out on a real board, then if it works, I solve the online puzzle. I am very patient, and I will spend as much as 30 minutes on a single 2000 rated puzzle. The problem is, that doesn't work when you are playing a game. I am the guy who times out after 8 moves in a 30 minute game.
>
> I am fairly new to chess, and in my late 50's. I never really played as a kid, but watching many chess videos, it's apparent good players can see the board "in their head". I cannot. I have to see every move in real life before my brain can figure out what to do. Got any tips or suggestions?
how long are u actually playing? 1 year, 2 yrs...? if less then a year, then its normal. if more then 5 yrs i.e. then it means u didnt find a good way to practice that skill (moving at the wooden board while solving puzzle wont help it, u have to go out of the comfort zone and get that skill on the hard way by actually forcing urself to visualize and to remember!) or else, that u havent talent for that so u just cant.
also, sometimes some things we want come too slow and we have to build endurance to reach them... but most of the time if we fight hard enough for these - we do.