Online attention trainer

Gorbov–Schulte Table: black goes up, red goes down

Also known as: Red-Black Table, Gorbov table, red and black Schulte table

A 7×7 table holds black numbers from 1 to 25 and red numbers from 24 to 1. Tap them in turn: black 1, red 24, black 2, red 23 and so on. Each round lasts three minutes, and you can play 10 minutes a day without signing up.

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3 minutesper round
49 cells7×7 table
No sign-up10 minutes a day
Progress30-day chart

What it trains

Why use the Gorbov table

The exercise works on attention switching. You have to keep two series in mind at once: black goes up, red goes down, and the task changes after every tap.

The summary shows how many of the 49 cells you found, how long it took and how many mistakes you made. Once you sign up, your rounds are saved and your account shows a 30-day chart.

You lose the thread when you have to jump between tasksSwitching drains your energy
You get mixed up keeping two lists at onceHolding two series in your head is hard
The Schulte table already feels easyYou want the next step
It takes you a while to find things on screenSlow visual search

Attention switching

Every tap changes the color and the direction of counting.

Working memory

You have to remember where you stopped in each series.

Visual search

Find a number of one color among 49 cells in two colors.

Sustained attention

Three minutes with no room to slip.

Rules

How to play

Start
Press the start button. The three-minute timer begins right away.
Black 1
Find and tap the black 1.
Red 24
Then red 24, then black 2, red 23 and so on, taking turns.
Hint
The top of the screen always shows what to look for: the color and the number.
Mistakes and finish
A wrong cell is highlighted and the clock keeps running. The round ends on black 25 or when time runs out.

Play online

Gorbov–Schulte table online

Alternate black numbers going up and red numbers going down. Without an account you get 10 minutes of play a day.

Red-Black Table

The Gorbov–Schulte table: alternate black numbers going up and red numbers going down. Trains attention switching.

Free play left today without signing up: 10 min

Method

What the exercise is based on

The red-black table was proposed by the Soviet psychologist Fyodor Gorbov as a harder version of the Schulte table. The classic layout is exactly this: a 7×7 square with black numbers from 1 to 25 and red numbers from 1 to 24. The alternating task, black going up and red going down, is used to assess attention switching.

If the table feels too hard, start with the regular Schulte Table: one color and one order.

7×749 cellsthe numbers are shuffled at random

1→25black numbersgoing up

24→1red numbersgoing down, taking turns with the black ones

Who it’s for

Which ages

Adults

The next step after the Schulte table, and a three-minute warm-up for your attention.

Kids

Not part of the “Kids” collection: you need to keep two series of numbers in mind at once. Better for older students.

60+

Not part of the “60+” collection. If the Schulte table already feels familiar, give it a try: three minutes leaves you time not to rush.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How is the score calculated?

One point for every cell you find. If you clear all 49 before the three minutes are up, the remaining seconds are added to your score.

How is it different from the Schulte table?

In the Schulte table all numbers are the same color and go up in order. Here there are two series, red and black, and you alternate between them: black numbers going up, red numbers going down.

What happens if I make a mistake?

The cell is highlighted. You don’t lose a point, but the clock keeps running. Mistakes are shown in the summary.

Do I need to sign up?

No, you can play 10 minutes a day right away. Free sign-up lets you keep playing, save your results, track your progress and unlock the daily workout.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes, the trainer runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers. There’s nothing to install.

Save your results and track your progress

Free sign-up: round history, a chart by skill and a daily workout of 5 exercises. No credit card needed.

All trainers

Gorbov–Schulte Table: black goes up, red goes down