Puzzle rush + Spaced repetitions to improve at a tactical level while having fun

Hi All!

I've been playing superblitz for long time here on lichess, and a couple of years ago I was looking for a way to improve my game in a light way - ie, in a way where I was learning/improving, but still having fun.

The system which worked for me was to play puzzle rush (without a time limit) and then add the puzzles I had failed to a spaced repetitions system I hacked for myself. It was a bit cumbersome to use, but it really worked.

This year I decided to try and create a website which makes it easy to use that combination, and I just started a public beta: https://chess.braimax.com

I already got interesting feedback, fixed a few bugs, and added a couple of features based on early feedback I received. I'd love to hear what my fellow lichess players think about it, get any suggestions, etc

I hope you'll enjoy it!

• Dan

PS was forgetting to mention that the puzzles are actually the ones lichess made public. Thank you lichess!

Sounds promising. I tried it on my phone, though, and all the pieces look white.

Congrats @danmaz740 this sounds great. I will try it out. Currently, am using the woodpecker method on ichess app on my phone. I suggest you allow us to upload our own PGN files and work on our own exercises. I also do the 1128 Woodpecker puzzles by Axel Smith everyday before i start a game (online or OTB). I can do all of them in 30 - 25 minutes (thanks to the phone app).

I am still at 70 - 80% accuracy, but my speed has really improved. I like your approach too. Its quite similar.

Thank you @billy_ombima

What you mean by uploading your own PGN files, is to use them as chess puzzles in the spaced repetitions system?

@danmaz740 said in #5:

Thank you @billy_ombima

What you mean by uploading your own PGN files, is to use them as chess puzzles in the spaced repetitions system?
Yes. Exactly.

Thanks, Dan. I tried it out and I like it.

@billy_ombima said in #6:

Yes. Exactly.

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll think about it.

One technical question: so, those PGN you were talking about contain the starting position for the puzzle, and then exactly the moves to solve it?

@danmaz740 said in #8:

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll think about it.

One technical question: so, those PGN you were talking about contain the starting position for the puzzle, and then exactly the moves to solve it?
Yes. They are the PGN from the book Woodpecker Method by Axel Smith. They have the moves plus some brief comments. Just like on the book. They're the solution to the puzzles. When you add them to the ichess app, you can play them offline (This is something i would also wish you consider.)

Some stats showing how many puzzles are due for repetition on each date would be good.

After finishing a round of "memorize" you get asked to rate the difficulty of the puzzle you did, but what about the other ones that came before? It's also unclear what effect the rating has if any, and there is a little something off I can't put into words about the UI to validate the choice.

Stats on how much of the daily rushes / analysis / memorization have been done are lacking. In general, more stats would be welcome.

The analyze screen feels clunky. If I want to check why some alternative variation is wrong (an important part of understanding a position), I basically have to open the position on lichess.