Very Long Chess Puzzles

About very long puzzles

Very long puzzles are the ultimate tactical challenge — combinations requiring precise calculation eight moves or more ahead, with multiple forcing sequences to consider. These puzzles test calculation depth, board vision, and the ability to manage complex branching variations. Solving very long puzzles builds the deep tactical skills of titled players and is essential training for anyone aiming to improve significantly. While demanding, these puzzles are among the most satisfying to solve and develop the kind of calculating ability that allows players to see beyond normal practical chess. Regular practice with very long puzzles sharpens all aspects of tactical calculation and builds the mental stamina needed in time-pressure tournament situations.

How to train very long

Puzzle length is a calculation-depth exercise. Work out the whole line before playing the first move, rather than playing a move and then looking again.

Questions

How many very long puzzles are there?

Enough that you will not repeat them — this set is drawn from a library of over 1,000,000 puzzles taken from real games, graded from easy to hard.

What level is this suitable for?

Children from about age 5 upward, once they know how the pieces move, through to rated tournament players. Start on the easy set and move up when you are solving most of them at a glance.