- How does the adaptive difficulty system work?
- The puzzle engine tracks every solve: whether you got it right, how long it took, and whether you used hints. It uses this data to continuously calibrate difficulty, serving puzzles at the edge of your current ability for maximum learning impact.
- What tactical themes does CrunchChess cover?
- Phase 1 includes 10 core themes: fork, pin, skewer, back rank, discovered attack, double check, smothered mate, hanging piece, zwischenzug, and deflection. More themes are added regularly.
- How many puzzles should I solve per day?
- 15-30 minutes of focused puzzle practice per day (typically 10-25 puzzles) is the research-backed sweet spot for improvement. Consistency matters more than volume, daily short sessions beat occasional marathon sessions.
- What happens if I use a hint?
- Using a hint reduces the XP you earn for that puzzle, but you still move forward and still learn the pattern. We encourage you to try every puzzle without a hint first, then use hints when genuinely stuck rather than guessing.
- Can I replay puzzles I have already seen?
- Yes. You can browse your puzzle history and replay any position. Revisiting challenging puzzles is an effective study technique, it reinforces the pattern in a different context.
