Anki Chess

Gemaakt in: 2020-08-03 ; Laatste update: 2020-12-27

Many people (ab)use Anki for spaced repetition chess training. In this post I want to explain why I think Listudy is a better alternative.

Try out: Learn openings with Listudy.

Prior Art

Here is a list of different techniques used so far to use Anki for chess and why I think they are not optimal.

Anki Addon: PGN Chess Flashcards

This Plugin has been created by u/nukeychess on reddit: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/340753088

They uploaded a video of the addon in action: https://streamable.com/k6d77

This is a pretty good implementation. Moves can be played dynamically. But unfortunately this addon is not usable for the latest versions of Anki.

Static Images of Positions

This has been created by u/AsymmetricWarfare on reddit: building_an_opening_repertoire_using_anki

Here is a image of the system in action: https://i.imgur.com/9gAfMSX.png

Another implementation is used here: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1413734466

This system has the disadvantage that moves cannot be played dynamically. In my opinion this makes learning less enjoyable.

Why Listudy is better

Before I explain why Listudy is better I would like to explain briefly what Listudy is. On Listudy you can upload PGN files or import them from Lichess. These PGN files can then be used in “studies” to learn positions using spaced repetition. This is the same system that Anki uses. In this way tactics, endgames and openings can be learned.

Now that we all know what Listudy is I would like to explain why I think Listudy is more suitable for chess training than Anki.

• Listudy is specially designed for chess training. The training is exactly adapted to the way chess positions develop. Not only one position is tested but whole lines of moves.
• Creating positions is more efficient. A whole series of positions can be created by simply creating PGN files in your favorite program for it. This is easier than entering each position by hand in Anki.
• Learning of positions on Listudy is done by playing against the PGN. In the beginning you will be shown what the optimal moves are and after the beginning you play against the PGN and you have to find the optimal moves. This playful learning helps to learn the reasoning behind positions and not to learn random snapshots of positions.

Conclusion

I firmly believe that Listudy is better for studying chess than Anki. Listudy is especially designed for chess and therefore has many big and small optimizations that are not possible in Anki.

Try out: Learn openings with Listudy.

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