In this episode, FM Dalton and Varun discuss the common disconnect between solving chess puzzles and actual gameplay. They explore why many players who excel at puzzles often struggle with blunders in real games. The episode dives deep into improving tactical ability, understanding the "story" of a game, and developing what they call "spidey senses" for recognizing critical moments. They also touch on balancing offensive tactics with defensive awareness, and the importance of raising one's tactical "floor" while pushing the "ceiling." Takeaways High puzzle ratings don’t guarantee blunder-free gameplay. Real games lack the prompt that a tactic is present, unlike puzzle-solving platforms. Practicing tactics should include both offensive and defensive scenarios. Focused training on specific themes like forks, pins, or positional play is crucial. Raising your tactical floor (avoiding simple mistakes) is often more impactful than solely raising your ceiling. Sound Bites "In games, nobody tells you there’s a tactic. You must develop that sense." – FM Dalton "In puzzles, you're always on the offense; in games, you need to be more mindful of the defense." – FM Dalton "Respect your opponent’s brain—don’t just live in your story!" – Varun Chapters 01:00 – Puzzle Ratings vs. Game Mistakes Discussion on why high puzzle ratings don’t correlate to mistake-free games. The gap between puzzles and real-game blunders. 09:07 – Improving Tactical Awareness The importance of defensive training in addition to offensive puzzles. The role of "spidey senses" in recognizing critical moments in games. 15:15 – Practical Tips for Tactic Training How to approach puzzles like a real game. The value of raising your tactical "floor" to minimize simple mistakes. 31:13 – Timing and Approach to Puzzle Solving Advice on using time constraints when solving puzzles. The importance of focusing on volume for improving the tactical floor. 39:50 – Wrap-up & Key Takeaways Final thoughts on improving both offensive and defensive chess play. Practical suggestions for puzzle training and game strategy.