Repetition cycles
Repeat the same puzzle set across multiple cycles so the positions move from deliberate calculation into fast recognition.
ChessWoodie
ChessWoodie is a chess tactics training app based on the Woodpecker Method. Build pattern recognition, track speed and accuracy, and review missed tactics from your own games.
What ChessWoodie is
ChessWoodie is a chess tactics training product built around the Woodpecker Method, a repetition-based approach to pattern recognition rather than endless new puzzle solving. It organizes tactics into cycles so you return to the same positions multiple times and track how your speed and accuracy change as familiar patterns become easier to recognize.
The product automates the parts of the method that are usually handled in spreadsheets: puzzle cycling, progress tracking, mistake review, and spaced repetition from missed positions. It also supports importing Lichess games so missed tactics can be turned into training material.
Core features
PPM tracking
Measure how many puzzles you solve per minute and compare your speed as the cycles progress.
Training insights
Review your recent sessions to see which tactical motifs, such as forks, pins, and mates, you miss most often.
Mistake review
Automatically revisit puzzles you got wrong after a session to reinforce the right pattern instead of moving on immediately.
Learn from your games
Import recent Lichess games, have missed tactics turned into puzzles, and add them to spaced review.
Learning tracks and custom courses
Use curated learning sets and custom courses with different puzzle counts, depending on plan limits.
Common ways to use ChessWoodie
Deliberate tactics practice
Use the fixed cycle workflow to build tactical pattern recognition instead of solving a constantly changing stream of puzzles.
Game review from your own play
Import recent Lichess games, find missed tactics, and turn them into review material based on your own errors.
Curated learning paths
Run through the beginner learning mode or broader curated tracks when you want structured themes instead of an open-ended puzzle feed.
Progress monitoring
Use cycle stats, PPM, and accuracy tracking to monitor whether you are getting faster and more consistent over time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Uses a structured repetition workflow based on the Woodpecker Method.
- Automates cycle tracking, speed measurement, and mistake review.
- Supports Lichess game imports so training can come from your own games.
- Includes a permanent free plan with no card required.
- Offers a 7-day free trial for Premium.
Cons
- The free plan has content and workflow limits, including one Lichess import per month and smaller course sizes.
- Premium features such as Stockfish analysis and unlimited imports require a paid plan.
- The product is focused on tactics training rather than general chess study tools.
FAQ
How does the Woodpecker training flow work?
ChessWoodie is built around a fixed set of puzzles that you repeat across cycles. You solve the set, then return to it again with the goal of finishing faster and recognizing patterns more quickly over time.
What do I get on the free plan?
The free plan includes the Woodpecker training flow with automated progress tracking, mistake review and cycle stats, spaced review built from your mistakes, one Lichess game import per month, up to 3 active courses, 100 to 200 puzzles per course, a beginner learning mode with 5 curated tactical themes, and training insights.
What does Premium add?
Premium includes everything in Free plus Stockfish analysis on mistakes, hardest solves added automatically for deeper reinforcement, unlimited Lichess game imports, up to 3 active courses, 100 to 1,000 puzzles per course, all curated learning sets across beginner, intermediate and advanced, and the Improvement Report.
What happens if I cancel Premium?
If you cancel Premium, your account returns to the free plan. Training history, stats and progress are preserved, and any courses you created while on Premium remain accessible.
What platforms or integrations does it support?
ChessWoodie uses Lichess for game imports and Lemon Squeezy for payments. The site also says it is PWA enabled, so it is designed to run in a browser-based app experience across devices.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Chess tactics training
- Method
- Woodpecker Method
- Platform
- Web app / PWA
- Primary data source
- Lichess puzzle set and game imports
- Payments
- Lemon Squeezy
- Pricing model
- Free plan plus Premium at $8 per month
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