About ChessPecker

ChessPecker is a training tool inspired by the The Woodpecker Method

, designed to sharpen your tactical vision through deliberate repetition and focused practice. Create custom puzzle sets, track your progress, and repeat cycles to build lasting improvement.

Whether you're a club player or a serious improver, ChessPecker provides a structured way to train like a Grandmaster.

How to Use the App

Getting started with ChessPecker is simple. Just follow these steps:

Go to the Puzzle Sets page and click Create Puzzle Set.
Select how many puzzles you want in the set, and choose an average difficulty rating that suits your current skill level.
Optionally, filter by themes such as mating patterns, endgame types, or tactical motifs to focus your training.
Once your set is created, start solving! The app records your results as you go.
Each time you complete all the puzzles in a set, it counts as one cycle. The app tracks your progress through each cycle and calculates your accuracy.

Tip

Revisit your puzzle sets repeatedly to follow the Woodpecker Method approach. Over time, you’ll notice improved speed, accuracy, and tactical intuition.

The Woodpecker Method

Affiliate Link

is a structured chess training system developed by Grandmasters Axel Smith and Hans Tikkanen, first introduced in their book The Woodpecker Method (Quality Chess, 2018). The method focuses on systematic repetition of tactical exercises to dramatically enhance a player's tactical awareness, calculation speed, and pattern recognition — foundational skills for competitive success. The approach was inspired by Tikkanen’s personal training regimen, which helped him achieve three GM norms in a short span. The method works on the principle that repetition solidifies learning, especially when spaced repetition is combined with focused effort. More recently, Smith and Tikkanen released a follow-up book, The Woodpecker Method 2

Affiliate Link

(Quality Chess, 2023), which implements the original method with positional puzzles. The focus is on acquiring pattern recognition for typical pawn structures, material imbalances, and strategic plans. I highly recommend both of these books!

Puzzle Sets

With our Puzzle Set feature, users can generate customized training sets based on:

Number of puzzles – choose how long or short you want your set to be.
Average difficulty rating – target puzzles within your skill level.
Themes – focus on specific motifs like endgames, mating patterns, pins, forks, and more.

This tailored approach ensures that you’re always training with puzzles that matter most to your improvement.

Progress Tracking

Your profile tracks every puzzle set you create and attempt. You’ll be able to monitor:

Accuracy – see how often you solve puzzles correctly on the first try.
Number of puzzles solved – track your overall workload.
Cycles completed – visualize your repetitions to stay in line with the Woodpecker Method.

This data-driven feedback helps you stay accountable and optimize your training over time.

Ready to Train?

Start your journey to tactical mastery. Register now or jump right in and try a puzzle set!