Does The Woodpecker Method Actually Work? Full Review with Results & Tips

Is The Woodpecker Method the key to sharper tactics and better results in chess? Discover our in-depth review of this popular training book, including real user experiences, pros and cons, and whether it truly boosts performance.

1. Content Overview

What it’s about:
The Woodpecker Method, by Axel Smith and Hans Tikkanen, introduces a tactical training system aimed at permanently embedding chess patterns into your subconscious. It’s centered around repetition, where you solve over 1,100 real-game puzzles multiple times, each cycle faster than the last. The puzzles are divided by difficulty, with clear structure and progression.

Author credentials:
Hans Tikkanen, an International Master at the time, used this method to achieve three GM norms in just seven weeks. Co-author Axel Smith is also an experienced IM and chess writer, best known for his acclaimed Pump Up Your Rating.

Target audience:
Best for intermediate to advanced players (roughly 1400–2200 Elo). Beginners may benefit from the first few sections, but the full method can be overwhelming if you’re not comfortable with calculation and visualization.

2. Learning Value

Does it teach well?
Yes, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. This is not a “read-and-relax” book; it’s a grind, designed to develop tactical reflexes through intense repetition. The book contains:

• Over 1,100 puzzles, organized into easy, intermediate, and advanced sections.
• Clear method instructions and cycle structure.
• All puzzles drawn from real games (mostly from World Champions), making them practical and instructive.

Key benefits:

• Improved pattern recognition
• Fewer blunders in time pressure
• Better board scanning habits
• Long-term memory of key motifs

3. Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths:

• It works: Multiple users report significant gains in online puzzle ratings (e.g., Chess.com, Lichess) and stronger tactical awareness.
• Well structured: You can customize how many puzzles to do and how many cycles to complete.
• Practical selection: Puzzles are from real-world games, making it feel relevant and motivating.
• Built-in training plan: No guesswork – just follow the method.

❌ Weaknesses:

• Extremely time-consuming: One user noted doing almost 1,000 puzzles in a month left them with little time for anything else.
• Mentally exhausting: Repeating the same puzzles 7 times can become frustrating, especially if you still get them wrong.
• Game transfer not guaranteed: Some users didn’t see immediate gains in OTB performance or time management, only in puzzle solving.
• Limited generalization: Critics argue that repeating the same positions risks memorization (overfitting) rather than pattern understanding.

4. Reader Experience

Engagement:
Most readers find the method challenging but rewarding. It’s satisfying to watch your accuracy and speed improve across cycles. There’s also a strange satisfaction in “woodpeckering” – drilling a concept until it sticks.

Frustration:
If you’re not a fan of repetition, this may feel like a chore. The grind is real. Several readers reported emotional outbursts during training due to repeated failure on the same puzzle.

Real-world gains:
Some saw significant online rating improvement, while others only saw marginal gains in tournament play. It likely depends on how consistently and honestly you train.

“I recently passed 3000 on the Chess.com puzzle app, and I believe the Woodpecker method had a lot to do with that.” – SheldonOfOsaka, Chess.com forum

“My puzzle vision is definitely sharper. I find myself recognizing tactical motifs faster, even if my OTB rating hasn’t jumped yet.” – Land-go, Reddit

“You’ll rage. You’ll repeat. You’ll want to quit. But somewhere in the middle of your 4th cycle, you’ll realize you’re seeing tactics that others miss.” – GuideUnable5049, Lichess

“At some point, solving puzzles turns into almost a meditative practice. You stop calculating and start feeling the right move.” – Capnpapn, Reddit

5. Practical Info

• Pages: 392
• Publisher: Quality Chess (a respected name in serious chess publishing)
• Language: English
• First published: February 7, 2019
• Format: Paperback
• Available on: Amazon, Chessable (though some users don’t recommend the Chessable format for this method due to its spaced repetition mechanics conflicting with the method’s sequential cycles)

6. Quotes & Sample Ideas

• The book emphasizes “pattern imprinting” – you repeat to the point of automatic recognition.
• “You must become a tactical woodpecker – hammering the same ideas again and again.”
• One user: “At some point you’ll either go insane or become a tactical genius.”

“Each time, the number of positions you solve by recall rather than calculation should improve. That’s what you’re optimizing for.” – Schachenfreude

“Memorizing them is the whole point. Your brain learns, ‘this piece setup equals this tactic,’ and in-game, you react faster.” – Buddaaaa (NM)

“I find it easier to motivate myself to train tactics if I follow a structured schedule, and Woodpecker gives exactly that.” – Land-go

“Think of it as programming your subconscious. The repetition isn’t about memory, it’s about instinct.” – FM DailyInsanity

7. Should You Buy It?

Yes, if:

• You want to seriously improve your tactical recognition.
• You thrive on repetition and discipline.
• You’re tired of solving random online puzzles and want a more systematic plan.

No, if:

• You prefer variety or positional play.
• You’re below 1200 and easily discouraged.
• You want quicker results or dislike brute-force training.

Verdict:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5)
The Woodpecker Method is a proven tool for sharpening tactics through intense repetition. It’s not easy, and definitely not “fun” in the traditional sense. But it delivers results for disciplined students. It can make you faster, sharper, and more tactically aware, especially online. Just be ready to commit.

Ready to take your tactical training to the next level? You can grab your copy of The Woodpecker Method on Amazon here or on Forward Chess (affiliate link) and start woodpeckering your way to sharper, faster chess today.