Tactics Time

Study Endgames?

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:09:07 PDT

Tim Hanke posted a blog post on June 11th, entitled “Study Endgames” on GM Nigel Davies’ excellent “Chess Improver” chess blog, which you can read here: http://chessimprover.com/study-endgames/ First of all, I am a big fan of Tim’s and the Chess … Continue reading →

Thoughts on using Fritz for Chess Improvement

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:05:10 PDT

Adam L wrote to me: For someone who is still working on their game, what is the best way to utilize fritz? I find myself overwhelmed with all the options. I love your ebook and utilize that as much as … Continue reading →

Reader Mail: How long to reach 1600+?

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:31:25 PDT

Time for some reader mail! Cobi S. writes: I loved your 2nd Anniversary Newsletter. I’m presently rated 1400+ in chess.com and I gained a 100 points over a period of 6 months of intense chess playing. How long do you … Continue reading →

News and Notes: Vegas, Pawn Promotions, Hank Anzis, TT Bday

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:13:20 PDT

Vegas Baby! I am heading to Las Vegas this weekend for the Las Vegas International Chess Festival and National Open. I am meeting my “wing man” Francisco Baltier there. Should be a good time! I have played in the National … Continue reading →

Question about the Chess Tactic From Robert Byrne eMail Newsletter

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:34:13 PDT

I am going through some of my e-mail today and thought I would post a question that I got here, which may be of interest to others: In regard to this position, which was in my tribute to Robert Byrne … Continue reading →

News and Notes: Recent Newsletters, Tim Brennan Week

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:46:19 PDT

It has been a while since I did a blog post, so I need to catch up! I have been posting most of my news lately in my newsletters, so I encourage you to sign up for that if you … Continue reading →

News and Notes: Paperback Book, Kids Book, Portuguese Book!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:21:42 PDT

St. Patrick’s Day Newsletter In case you missed it, here is a link to my special newsletter that I sent out on St. Patrick’s Day: http://archive.aweber.com/tacticstime/7BcWg/h/Happy_St_Patrick_s_Day_.htm I included some news about chess eBooks, and news about my book being possibly … Continue reading →

Brooklyn Castle Review

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:28:01 PDT

I got a nice email from the people who were promoting the movie Brooklyn Castle asking me if I would like a free review copy. One of my newsletter subscribers had given him my name. I work for the company … Continue reading →

January 2013 Tactics Time Column

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:11:38 PST

The January 2013 Tactics Time features games from the Colorado Open and Panera Bread tournaments that are held in Colorado Springs. Thanks to Fred Spell and Richard “Buck” Buchanan who provided the games to me.

Chess Life, Colorado Springs Open, News and Notes

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:32:21 PST

I am featured in the current March 2013 issue of Chess Life in the “Faces across the Board” section on page 9. I was the assistant tournament director at the Colorado Springs Open this past weekend in Manitou … Continue reading →

News and Notes: Cabin Fever, SwissSys, Drinking My Own Bath Water

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 06:39:09 PST

Tactics Time is featured in this week’s Sunday Chess Column by Stephen Dann, Worcester MA, Telegram & Gazette http://www.telegram.com/article/20130224/NEWS/102249740/ The puzzle is a really good one, which I really like. Answer at the bottom. This past week I was the … Continue reading →

The Power of Habit

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 06:30:01 PST

Recently I have been listening to the audiobook “The Power of Habit” in my car, while driving to work, and around town. You can see this book on amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Habit-What-Business/dp/1400069289 Quick side note: I am a huge fan of … Continue reading →

How to update your Tactics Time Kindle eBook

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 08:32:47 PST

Thank you so much to everyone who has purchased Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics from the Games of Everyday Chess Players and helped to make it the number 1 best selling Kindle chess book! You should have … Continue reading →

7 Reasons You Will Love the Tactics Time Chess eBook

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:31:19 PST

#1. It’s cheap! When I was younger I used to love reading MAD magazine. On the cover of each issue it would say something like $1.99 (CHEAP!) MAD was great because they packed in as many jokes and cartoons as … Continue reading →

Book Review: Chess is Child’s Play

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:10:25 PST

When I first heard the title “Chess is Child’s Play” I thought it was a low budget sequel about a murderous doll named Chuckie who comes back to life, and tortures the nerdy members of the chess club. But all joking … Continue reading →

News and Notes: Forks and Skewers, Chess Life Online, Middle Aged Patzer

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:42:52 PST

Funny comic I saw this morning I played in the Wild Boar tournament this past Saturday up in Fort Collins. It was a 4 Round G/45 tournament. I enjoying playing in coffee shops, and it is a nice place to … Continue reading →

Chessbase 12, New Mexico, eBook, News and Notes

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:35:19 PST

I traveled down to Rio Rancho New Mexico last weekend to play in the New Mexico Senior Memorial tournament with my buddy Paul Grimm. This was Paul’s first full weekend tournament in about 5 years. Rio Rancho is about 5 … Continue reading →

Chess Cafe Book of the Year, Colorado Chess Informant, Book News and Notes

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:55:51 PST

Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics from the Games of Everyday Chess Players has been nominated for “Chess Book of the Year” on chesscafe.com. You can see the full list of nominees here: http://www.chesscafe.com/Reviews/botyr1.htm. There are two rounds of voting. First … Continue reading →

Merry Christmas!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 07:38:07 PST

Merry Christmas! Here in Colorado Springs, we are having a white Christmas for the first time in 25 years! In case you didn’t see it, you can read my Christmas e-mail newsletter here: http://archive.aweber.com/tacticstime/EZZVs/h/Merry_Christmas_.htm. It includes a really cool chess … Continue reading →

Tactics Time News and Notes

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:45:37 PST

Sales of the Tactics Time eBook have been great. We are still number 1 in the Kindle chess book sales. We have been in and out of the top ten for all book sales. I am guessing that a lot … Continue reading →

Why is your Chess Tactics Book only on Kindle?

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:12:09 PST

I got a nice e-mail yesterday from one of my newsletter and blog readers, John W, who writes: I noticed in an ad for your book that you want people to be able to read your book on various devices. … Continue reading →

October 2012 Tactics Time Column

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:28:43 PST

Here is the October 2012 Tactics Time Chess Tactics Column, which appeared in the Colorado Chess Informant magazine, the official state magazine for the Colorado State Chess Association (CSCA). Click on the image below to read the column. Tactics Include: … Continue reading →

How to Write a Chess Book

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:03:40 PST

Today I want to share some “lessons learned” that I got from writing my first chess book, Tactics Time! 1001 Chess Tactics from the Games of Everyday Chess Players [Kindle Edition], which you can check out here: http://amzn.to/Wu9zmh. These tips … Continue reading →

Followup and Responses to Chess Cheating Article

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:59:22 PDT

I got a lot of great feedback about my article on chess cheating via e-mail, comments on facebook, twitter, reddit.com, and blog comments. Thanks everyone who took the time to make a comment! In case you missed it, you can … Continue reading →

Treasure Chesst | Guest Chess Blog Post by Edson J. Cortiano

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 09:13:36 PDT

by Edson J. Cortiano now chess? Yes, that’s right it’s a game played on a board covered with black and white squares. No, no, it’s not the same as checkers! Comparing checkers with chess is like comparing Santos Dumont’s 14-Bis … Continue reading →

Recent Chess Cheating Scandal

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:54:01 PDT

Recently there was a really well written and well researched article about a cheating scandal that happened in Virginia during a scholastic tournament. It is a very interesting read. I sent a copy to all of the active tournament directors here … Continue reading →

July 2012 Tactics Time Column

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:15:41 PDT

Here is the July 2012 Tactics Time Chess Tactics Column, which appeared in the Colorado Chess Informant magazine, the official state magazine for the Colorado State Chess Association (CSCA). Click on the image below to read the column. Tactics Include: … Continue reading →

Chess Tactics eBook Design Competition Results!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:56:37 PDT

Wow, we got a ton of GREAT responses from people who voted in our poll for chess book designs! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at these, and help us to choose! We really appreciate that, … Continue reading →

I Need Your Help Choosing a Chess Book Cover!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 06:23:30 PDT

I’m excited to announce that I am working with Anthea Carson on an all new chess tactics book for Amazon Kindle in time for the holidays! This chess tactics book is going to be great, because it features all new … Continue reading →

Remove the Guard Tactics

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:23:50 PDT

I got a nice e-mail today from one of my newsletter readers… It was in regard to this position with white to move: From my most recent newsletter, which I sent out today. You can read it here: http://archive.aweber.com/tacticstime/KK.qI/h/Tactics_Time_Chess_Newsletter_.htm This was … Continue reading →

Tactics Time Wins Gold in the E-mail Marketing Summer Games!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:27:15 PDT

The Tactics Time Chess Improvement E-mail Newsletter won first place for “Best Content” in the 2012 AWeber E-mail Marketing Summer Games! The criteria for the “Best Content” award was: The content of the email relates to the brand’s product or service … Continue reading →

Invisible Defender Tactic

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:29:39 PDT

Before I get into this really cool story take a look at this position, and see if you can find the best move for white. Answer is below. I get a lot of great comments from people who see … Continue reading →

Too Easy to Publish

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:32:43 PDT

I got a nice e-mail yesterday from Richard Brown, who had played in the Pikes Peak Open over the weekend in Manitou Springs. Here is the position in question, with White to Move, if you want to take a look … Continue reading →

Tactics Time Customer Feedback

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 09:28:08 PDT

Here is a really amazing e-mail that I got yesterday from one of my customers. This made my day! Russ writes: Tim, Sorry to take up your valuable time, but I am so excited about the early results … Continue reading →

More than one mate?

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:07:25 PDT

Another reader question about one of the tactics in my e-mail newsletters… Regarding this position from the newsletter “Return of the Assassin” Spoilers below, so solve it first if you want to Richard writes: Tim, Not looking at the … Continue reading →

Question about the Pillsbury Mating Pattern

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:39:56 PDT

Here an interesting question that I got from a reader of my free chess tactics e-mail newsletter, that might be helpful to others as well. From the newsletter “Pillsbury D’oh” regarding this position (Black to Move) Spoliers below, so don’t … Continue reading →

Reader Questions on Sunday’s Newsletter Chess Tactic

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:01:23 PDT

I got a few questions about the chess tactic that I sent out on Sunday, which you can read here: http://archive.aweber.com/tacticstime/Bj9Co/h/Tactics_Time_Chess_Newsletter_.htm. Here is the position in question, with white to move: James writes: Hi Tim, You got my vote; your … Continue reading →

AWeber Summer Games

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:52:42 PDT

AWeber, which is the company that I use to send my chess tactics e-mail newsletter, is having a “Summer Games” contest. I just learned today that my newsletter was chosen as one of the finalists in the Category: “Valuable Content … Continue reading →

Stephen Covey’s Teachings Applied to Chess

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:31:10 PDT

Self help author Dr. Stephen Covey passed away this morning. I have been a fan of his teachings for a long time, and have found them very valuable. They can be applied to many areas of life, including chess. … Continue reading →

The Bad Beliefs of Chess Improvement

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:45:22 PDT

One of the things that often surprises and saddens me is how chess players can spend years working on their chess game and never improve. Some just give up, and accept the fact that they have a low rating, and … Continue reading →

Gaining 173 Rating Points in One Month

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:02:39 PDT

I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback and e-mail from chess players, newsletter readers, and customers, from all over the world, who have been telling me that they have been winning more games, raising their chess rating, and having … Continue reading →

Rival Revival

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:41:43 PDT

That’s what chess is all about. One day you give your opponent a lesson, the next day he gives you one – Bobby Fischer Today I want to talk about the idea of having rivals in chess. In today’s politically … Continue reading →

The Top 10 Pains, Fears and Frustrations of Chess (and how to deal with them)

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 08:20:16 PDT

Playing chess can be stressful, cruel and leave your soul in an emotional train wreck. I have had friends quit playing because they couldn’t handle losing, have seen grown adults crying and throwing temper tantrums, and seen playing who got … Continue reading →

Media Circus!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:43:02 PDT

Tactics Time has been getting a lot of press lately! On Sunday my website was mentioned in Stephen Dann’s Chess Column, which appears in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Newspaper. Worcester is the second largest city in Massachusetts, after Boston. … Continue reading →

Blasting your Comfort Zone for Chess Improvement

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:03:30 PDT

Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone. ~ Robert Allen Today I want to talk to you about the above quote’s idea, and getting out of your “comfort zone” when it comes to chess. Have you heard … Continue reading →

Nothing Is Over!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 07:11:13 PDT

There is a dangerous “mind virus” being propagated by Paul Anderson, and his ilk, here in the chess community of Colorado Springs. And I am not referring to the unsolicited “Evolution is a Myth” creationist propaganda that the Anderson clan … Continue reading →

Chess Tactics with a Real Board

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:10:15 PDT

I got an interesting question today from one of my chess tactics e-mail newsletter subscribers. Timothy S wrote: hi, i have a major concern on how to solve tactics. should i do them on a real board , because i … Continue reading →

No Triple Crown? Have a Triple Pawns Chess Tactic

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:07:45 PDT

I was disappointed to learn today that “I’ll Have Another” won’t be competing for the Triple Crown this year. From the AP: I’ll Have Another’s bid for the first Triple Crown in 34 years ended stunningly Friday when the chestnut … Continue reading →

The “I Already Know That” Problem

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:42:48 PDT

One problem that I often see with the study of chess tactics is what Eben Pagan calls the “I get it mechanism”. What happens is that a chess player decides that they are going to learn chess, and so they … Continue reading →

Reader Mailbag – In Between Moves

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 08:35:10 PDT

I recently got some interesting questions from my chess tactics e-mail newsletter subscriber Eric T about this position, with White to move. See if you can find the best move. This position came from a game that was played by … Continue reading →

Tactics Time Newsletter 1st Birthday!

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:06:12 PDT

This past Wednesday I celebrated the one year birthday of the Tactics Time Chess Tactics E-mail newsletter! It was one year ago that I started sending out chess e-mail newsletters. I wrote a special newsletter to celebrate the occasion. When … Continue reading →

Bringing a Knife to a Gun Fight

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:16:52 PDT

Last weekend I played in the USCF rated side event to the Colorado vs. New Mexico team challenge in Fountain, Colorado. The team event was a great idea where each state had a team of players, one from each class. … Continue reading →

An interesting Chess Tactic from the US Women’s Championship Playoff

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:55:51 PDT

There has been a lot going on in the chess world these days! The US Chess Championship just finished up over the weekend, the US Women’s Chess Championship finished on Monday in an exciting playoff match, and the World Chess … Continue reading →

April 2012 Tactics Time Column

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:35:24 PDT

Here is the April 2012 Tactics Time Chess Tactics Column that appeared in the Colorado Chess Informant Magazine, which comes out 4 times a year. Fred Spell is the editor, and does an outstanding job. You can read the full … Continue reading →

January 2012 Tactics Time Column

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:18:21 PDT

Below is the January 2012 Tactics Time Chess Tactics Column that appeared in the Colorado Chess Informant magazine, which you can read online for free here: http://www.coloradochess.com/informant/January%202012.pdf. Click the image to open the column in PDF format. Included are games … Continue reading →

Chai Neuhaus Tribute

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:56:16 PDT

I have had many names and forms. ~ Chaitanya Neuhaus Chai Neuhaus, an active chess player from Boulder Colorado recently passed away. In the position below, from one of Chai’s games, it is White to move Answer below. White to Move … Continue reading →

Reader Questions on Newsletter Chess Tactics

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:21:58 PDT

I got a couple of questions lately on some of the chess tactics in my newsletter e-mails, and thought I would answer some of them here, because chances are that other readers might have had similar questions. Yesterday for Mother’s … Continue reading →

US Chess Championship Blunder

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:37:01 PDT

The US Chess Championship is currently being played at the beautiful Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. The website is http://uschesschamps.com, and they even have live coverage with Jennifer Shahade and Ben Finegold giving “play by play”, analysis … Continue reading →

The Four Stages of Learning Chess Tactics

tim@tacticstime.com (Timothy Brennan) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:10:24 PDT

Today I want to talk about an idea related to learning called the the “conscious competence” learning model, and how it can be applied to your study of chess tactics. From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence) The conscious competence model relates to … Continue reading →