X-Ray Defence | slacker news

1. captn3m0 ◴[21 Apr 25 05:45 UTC] No.43748782[source]▶

> In general, defensive tactics and puzzles are underrepresented in chess literature and resources.

I play a lot of puzzles (Storm) on Lichess, and this hits hard. I can spot good attacks, but not good defences because it’s vastly underrepresented in my training.

replies(3): >>43749220 #>>43750166 #>>43755241 #

2. GistNoesis ◴[21 Apr 25 07:23 UTC] No.43749220[source]▶

>>43748782 (TP) #

https://lichess.org/training/defensiveMove

For training more related to this article : https://lichess.org/training/xRayAttack

You can find the list of specific training themes here : https://lichess.org/training/themes

replies(1): >>43749300 #

3. captn3m0 ◴[21 Apr 25 07:40 UTC] No.43749300[source]▶

>>43749220 #

Storm doesn't seem to have a defensive mode.

replies(1): >>43749645 #

4. GistNoesis ◴[21 Apr 25 08:42 UTC] No.43749645{3}[source]▶

>>43749300 #

I have not tried it, but lichess is open-source : so you can probably customize it for your specific use case.

More specifically modify line that allow to pick the theme https://github.com/lichess-org/lila/blob/64b6f7966c8ed48dc90...

With one of the value given here : https://github.com/lichess-org/lila/blob/64b6f7966c8ed48dc90...

ie : replace in stomSelector lila.puzzle.PuzzleTheme.mix.key by lila.puzzle.PuzzleTheme.defensiveMove.key and run a custom lichess as explained in the ReadMe

5. ConspiracyFact ◴[21 Apr 25 10:05 UTC] No.43750166[source]▶

>>43748782 (TP) #

I wonder if this is a subconscious reaction to the drawishness of the game. There are certainly very many beautiful defensive motifs, but strong players might be biased against training on them because they constantly encounter strong defense leading to drawish positions.

(Source: naked speculation from a USCF Expert.)

6. toolslive ◴[21 Apr 25 18:57 UTC] No.43755241[source]▶

>>43748782 (TP) #

In chess, as in most sports, defending is more difficult than attacking. When you're attacking, and you're attack is running out of steam, you can always "throw some extra wood on the fire". When you're defending, one slip and you're lost. One should not underestimate the psychological impact of the above. Most players crumble under prolonged pressure. This not only applies to me (a mere 2000 FIDE rated player), but also to the (2700+) elite.