Use the Woodpecker Method to Improve Drastically
Learning chess also means learning how to navigate the unending methods of training and study that have been developed. That alone can feel overwhelming for some beginners, as well as for intermediate and advanced players. While searching through the vast sea of chess books and training methods, you may have come across the very popular “Woodpecker Method.” Besides sounding like a Malcolm Gladwell book, the Woodpecker method also has some merit to it. It was brought into popularity by GM Axel Smith and GM Hans Tikkanen.
Smith developed the method, and Tikkanen named it and used it to achieve three GM norms, but it persisted into the book, which shares its name, and the sequel, the Woodpecker Method 2. It is a popular chess training technique for ambitious chess players who want to dedicate a significant amount of time to their improvement. The method itself aims to improve your pattern recognition through repetition and discipline.
The Woodpecker Method
Most chess coaches and players will tell you that to improve, you need to practice more chess puzzles. Doing chess tactics will undoubtedly improve your chess, so what makes the Woodpecker Method unique? Firstly, it is essential to understand the importance of repeatedly solving tactical puzzles to learn patterns. Building that pattern recognition will help speed up your decision-making in real games.
The Woodpecker method provides a set of 1000 puzzles that you will solve repeatedly in increasingly shorter intervals. By the final cycle, you are solving each individual puzzle very quickly due to your improved pattern recognition. This type of training may seem exhausting, but it is similar to that of other sports. A baseball player has swung a bat thousands and thousands of times during practice as they improve, and a chess player should hammer away, like a woodpecker, at their tactics in the same way.
How the Method Works in Practice
How does this method really work? You can use the book and follow along with the puzzles that have been previously decided upon, but really, you can study in this manner with any set of puzzles as a beginner. In fact, one method I have taught to beginners is using puzzles from a beginner's chess book, such as Everyone’s First Chess Workbook, and repeatedly working through those puzzles to see if you can complete them faster and faster. The first step is just choosing a set of tactical puzzles that will stay the same. One benefit to this method compared to most modern online puzzle methods is that you see the same puzzles again and again, so you really learn the patterns, as opposed to just doing puzzles online, where you will never see that puzzle again, even if you get it wrong.
Repetition
The key to the Woodpecker Method is the repetition. If a bird hits a tree with its beak once, it's probably not a woodpecker. It’s the repeated drilling that gives the bird its name. Whether you are using the Woodpecker Method book or your own selection of puzzles, once you have completed them, the key is to go back through and try to improve your time. What makes this method work is that it strengthens your calculation speed by imprinting these patterns into your brain. Just ensure you choose a sustainable training method.
Why Repetition Matters in Chess Training
Repetition in chess training is key to strengthening your pattern recognition. It’s like building muscle memory in a sport; doing these puzzles repeatedly will help create that connection in your brain. Like learning a language, you have to speak it over and over, even words you already know, to become fluent.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The Woodpecker method is highly effective, but there are some common mistakes you need to avoid.
- Burnout! This is a complex method of study, especially if you attempt to complete the number of puzzles listed in the book. Dedicating yourself fully to this kind of method could lead you to burnout if you are not careful, where you no longer want to even look at a chessboard. Make sure you pick an appropriate number of puzzles and don’t overdo it.
- Quitting before reaching the final cycle. It can feel overwhelming after completing your first cycles, but don’t give up! Repetition is key, and if you continue, it could cement those patterns in your mind.
- Rushing puzzles. This is a common mistake in general when doing chess puzzles. Many beginners spend a few seconds and then guess. Don’t! Take your time. If it takes a long time, then that is an indicator of your unfamiliarity with that pattern.
- Treating it like casual practice instead of a disciplined system. This isn’t really a mistake, but it just means you might be using the wrong method. You can have fun with the woodpecker method, but don’t expect the same results as others who treat it more diligently.
The mistakes that you can make using the Woodpecker Method are mistakes that anyone can make in their chess learning journey. There is nothing inherently wrong with the Woodpecker method, but be sure to avoid these pitfalls while learning. If you do find that you are having trouble with the technique, don’t be afraid to try something easier while still putting in the same amount of time. Chess is not a formula where success is achieved solely through one method of study. Do what works for you.
How to Incorporate the Woodpecker Method into Your Training
Part of being successful with your chess training plan is ensuring that you allocate your time correctly. Different players require different training plans, which means different time distribution methods. I encourage most beginners to spend most of their study time alternating between playing chess games and doing chess tactics. If you do chess puzzles, even the woodpecker method, make sure it doesn’t become the only way you practice chess. Be sure to keep playing games. If you are a beginner, I would suggest that for every minute you spend doing something like the woodpecker method, you should also spend at least as much time actually playing chess.
The Woodpecker Method vs. Other Training Techniques
The main reason to choose the Woodpeck Method is that it's the method that gets you to do puzzles! There is no inherent benefit to this particular method other than the fact that it requires the time and effort necessary to improve. If you instead did random puzzles on Lichess.org, but still spent the same level of effort and practice, you would improve similarly. However, if you are already an advanced player, and you are explicitly trying to drill these patterns so that they become as normal to you as breathing, then this type of method is ideal. Whether you use the exact puzzles from the book or pick another book or set of puzzles, that doesn’t matter as much. The critical aspect is the repetition of the patterns and the increasing speed.
Other Ways to Study Puzzles
If you are a beginner looking for ways to solve chess puzzles, there are alternative methods beyond the Woodpecker method. I recommend trying these methods at least once:
- Puzzle Streak. Lichess offers a free method for solving puzzles, where you attempt to complete as many puzzles as possible without making a mistake. This forces you to calculate without just immediately trying a puzzle. The puzzles get more and more difficult as you go.
- Puzzle Storm or Puzzle Rush. These are methods that focus on speed and accuracy. This forces you to learn the patterns in a similar way to the Woodpecker Method. I love having students try to beat their personal bests. It is a great way to see progress while also having fun!
- Going through a puzzle book. Picking a book of puzzles and working your way through it, maybe even twice, can be a great way to do a light version of the woodpecker method. If you are a beginner, try doing this with a book like Everyone's First Chess Workbook. You can try it online with Chessable if you want to go through the puzzles quickly.
- Combine the methods! Don’t be stuck in just one method. Make sure to keep it fun for yourself and try different ways to improve at chess. If the Woodpecker method has you excited about chess, then give it a try!
Is the Woodpecker Method Bad?
No single method of chess improvement is inherently good or bad. It’s all about how you utilize it and whether it is appropriate for your study. Depending on your level and how much time you have for chess, the Woodpecker method might be the perfect way to push you to the next level. If you are new to chess, the puzzles in the actual Woodpecker book may be a bit challenging, but I would recommend using a method like this by going through an easier workbook. The essence of the Woodpecker Method is about training through repetition and pushing yourself to your limits. If you can make yourself improve through puzzle rush, then that is also a valid way to enhance your skills.