How many problems contains a mini-cycle?
 

My "have a life while your learning tactics" is working groups of 40 problems 7 times, 4-6 days a week for 30 min. to 2 hours per day.

I am now using a speed/accuracy see-saw approach:

Circle 1 - 4 min/problem - Attempt to get first move, best reply, and next move(s)
Circle 2 - Take as long as is needed- Attempt to accurately calculate every variation
Circle 3 - 2 min/problem - Attempt to get first move, best reply, and next move(s)
Circle 4 - Take as long as is needed- Attempt to accurately calculate every variation
Circle 5 - 1 min/problem - Attempt to get first move, best reply, and next move(s)
Circle 6 - Take as long as is needed- Attempt to accurately calculate every variation
Circle 7 - .5 min/problem - Attempt to get first move, best reply, and next move(s)

I RARELY will spend a full 2 hours.

I decided to stretch this cycle to 48 problems so I would complete that section of the book. I find that the endgame calculations are not as difficult or as time-consuming to work on as opening or middlegame problems are. Quite a few have tactics in them, so it's a nice blend.

Ultimately, you all who are doing the pure 7 circles probably will be better in tournaments (because of the longer time spent per day). I hope to play in one real OTB tournament at the end of all this, but mainly my goal is to play more competent intermediate chess.
 

It looks a very good approach to me.
But is 40 problems not to few?
I take always so many problems that I have forgotten the solutions when I arrive at circle 2. Otherwise I just remember and play the moves without knowing why. But now thinking it over I'm not so sure that is a valid argument.
 

There's a risk of that. In the even cycles where I "Take as long as is needed- Attempt to accurately calculate every variation", I aim for satisfaction that I have gotten the idea(s) fully. Like saying, "Why is this answer (that I remember) correct and not that one?" without time constraints. Circle 6 is where things make the most sense to me for the toughest problems.
 

I agree with you that the MDLM program should be tailored by the individual where needed. Especially those of us with jobs, childrens and house projects needing to be done.

Given that you are working a small set intensely over 1 week. I think there would be a benefit to have a
review week once every 6 weeks where each day you would work on a different set from the previous weeks. I think this would help with the long term retention of the patterns. What do you think of this idea?
Keep up the good work,
Jim Takchess
 

I was thinking of doing review sessions. I actually did a circle 8 just for that purpose.

After this current circle though I am going to use ct-art. If I want to minimize the problems that stem from memorizing the material, I will need to adjust the program again.