Blitz chess
3+0, 3+2, 5+0
In blitz the clock is a piece. It is useful for rehearsing openings and bad for the habit of checking, so play it on purpose.
What changes
Good enough, quickly
Play the first safe move you find. You will need the saved seconds later.
Checks and captures first
Look at the opponent's checks and captures before anything else. Most blitz losses not on time are a missed one-move threat.
Keep it awkward
A position your opponent must think about costs them the thing they have least of.
Skills worth drilling
Premoving forced replies
Online, premove recaptures and only moves. Premoving anything else loses pieces.
Trading when ahead
With more material and less time, trade. Fewer pieces means fewer ways to go wrong.
Knowing what you are playing for
Winning on time in a drawn position is allowed and teaches nothing. Decide whether that is what you want.
Where the clock goes
| Phase | Share | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 5 to 10% | Move quickly on what you know. The first moves should take seconds. |
| Middlegame | 50 to 60% | Rarely more than fifteen seconds on a move. |
| Endgame | 30 to 40% | Keep the pieces together and the decisions simple. |
For children
- Blitz is a poor place to learn. It rewards speed over checking.
- A few games to rehearse an opening, then a longer game to think, works well.
- Agree the number of games in advance. A bad game is followed too quickly by another.
Questions people ask
- Does blitz ruin your chess?
- Not by itself. Playing only blitz and never reviewing trains you to move rather than to think.
- Should a beginner play blitz?
- Sparingly. Learn the pieces and the basic mates at a slower speed first, or the fast habits stick.
- Why do I lose on time in winning positions?
- Winning positions tempt you to hunt for the best move. When ahead, take the simple line.