Timed puzzles and learning?

[JasonGraham]

I use chess.com. I read a thread there discussing how to translate ability in solving chess puzzles into your ability to win games. The practical advice was to slow down, only make your first move after thinking through the whole thing, and avoid using a process of elimination to identify what must be the right move.

This seems reasonable. It occurred to me that the puzzle rush and puzzle battle teach you exactly the opposite habits - literally how to rush through while minimizing the scope of your thinking. So perhaps playing these sorts of games is counter-productive to improving your chess?

Or perhaps I'm overthinking it and if I want to improve I should improve my knowledge of openings and theory, both of which I have invested less into than tactics puzzles, and both are clearly weaker as a result. ..?

I think I'm very inconsistent in games. The analysis bot rates me at 2000-2200 when I play my best, but much lower when I don't. It usually says my middlegame is very good and my openings not so good.

On chess.com I have 2550ish puzzle rating (my max), 32 max score on 5 min puzzle rush, 1400ish usually playing 10 min games, (max rating a bit over 1500).

But rambly. My main question is - should you stop playing speed puzzle games if you want to maximize what you learn from puzzles in general?

[Kalisspera]

If you want to improve, maybe a combination of both could work, but I’d definitely lean towards prioritizing quality over speed for long-term learning.

[MikeBrooklyn]

I’ve thought about this a lot too. It’s tempting to play speed puzzles because they feel rewarding in the moment, but I do agree with your point about them encouraging rushed thinking. Personally, I’ve been playing some puzzle games on a site that offers a variety of challenges, and I noticed the same thing. When I take my time with them and think through each move, I feel like I actually get more out of the experience. For me, slowing down really helped improve my problem-solving and focus. But I also find that mixing things up—playing both slower, more thoughtful games and some quick ones—keeps things fun and helps me balance improving strategy with quick thinking.