The other day a titled chess player reminded me to a very special training mode of CPT. Actually this was the only training mode in version 1, but I almost forgot about it myself. By now CPT has more than 70 training options of which most can be freely combined and hence it’s easy to miss the ideas behind some of them. Thus I would like to introduce to you the training mode “Jump to worst position always” in combination with “Always pick next worst position based on selection”. You can find these settings on the “Selection” tab and “Continuation”.
Then I started the project at the end of 2003 I thought it would be best to implement the well-known flash-card concept just exactly as it works for learning a new language. That meant I just wanted to be shown the worst position and after having made a move just any other position which is now the worst position of my repertoire.
So what’s the big deal? There is no connection between the two positions except they have your worst training scores!
You no longer run the risk to learn by heart move orders, but instead you really learn which move to play in which position – absolutely independent of any concrete move order.
Why is this a better way instead of training complete variations? Well, first of all you save time, because you don’t have to play all those moves which you know already perfectly just to get to that one move you always forget the right candidate move. Next you will really learn the positions. If you play concrete variations you will start to auto-play certain variations, but you will be really surprised how challenging some positions even of lines with 100% training scores will become for you if you just face them without having played the moves leading to the position. Give it a try with a sub-repertoire which you already know pretty well.
There is another advantage: If you get for some not explainable reasons out of your repertoire and later back into your repertoire or just a position you will immediately recognize the position. The chances to recognize the position if you always only trained concrete variations are not as high.
I believe the variation mode is good for the beginning when you really have no clue about the opening you want to train (the demo mode is also good for this intend). Then, if you have a training score of 50% or more for your repertoire give it a try and switch to the “jumping” mode.
Another underestimated feature might be the blindfold mode. Many GM’s can tell you that the visualization skill is very important to improve someone’s chess, but it is not just a talent (like Moro obviously has), but rather can be trained. With CPT you can train it very easily and even with your own repertoire! Give it a try if you haven’t played around with these options yet.
Which are your favourite training settings? Have you already used the “Jump to worst position always” option? Do you have special training wishes for CPT 4?