Time - Trouble and Management

Time is an important part of chess. Some people only play on time and others don't. In recent years, online chess has become very popular and this has given rise to new ideas, the time control for games has become shorter, and the best chess players in the world are also participating. Gone is the time when fast chess was considered taboo. Now even world champion Magnus Carlsen often plays online. I also play a lot of quick chess, so I have chosen to give a few tips on how to use your time better. So lets get it started.

In chess we have 3 different time checks that are accepted by FIDE.

Standard

Rapid

Speed ​​chess

Each time control has a default time, but may vary by country. Standard is a time control above 1 hour. Rapid is time control above 10 minutes and Fast Chess is time control above 2 minutes.

Let's take Rapid (with 10 minute time control without increment)

How do you handle time?

First, it is convenient to use 2-4 seconds per move in the opening in Rapid. Of course you can choose to calculate a certain tactic. But try to stick to this, because it is difficult to play a good middle game if you have already used 2-3 minutes for the first 15 moves. If you use my first tip correctly, you are still at the clock at 8-9 minutes at move 15-18. This means that you still have 5-6 minutes to use in the middle game. Doesn't seem like a lot right?

How do you make good moves with little time?

The trick is to believe in yourself. It is often the case that when it is your turn that you immediately have a possible move in your head. It is a good idea not to calculate 2-3 variations. Only 1 variation that you think you will work and only calculate a different one if the first does not work. It does not matter whether you are very good or not. You will be using a lot of time to analyze only 2 variations. Time you would rather have for an endgame, or if you have to defend a difficult position.

I have a move in mind. How do I make sure that forced variants don't take time?

On chess.com, there is a live feature called pre-move. This allows you to prepare a move before your opponent has made a move. For example, if you capture a piece with check and the opponent has to capture back, and you already have another move in mind, you can just make that move and continue thinking. This means that you can actually continue to think undisturbed.

I have reached the endgame but have little time. There are many pieces on the board, what should I do?

One especially keep calm. Stress simply makes you slower. Two exchange pieces. The fewer pieces on the board, the better overview you can keep, and the less calculation work. It is also easier to pat. Three immediately open an extra square for your king, you do not want to suddenly go mat and this means that you can move much easier carefree.

My opponent and I are equal and both need time. What should I do?

Check. Remember that lifting check will lead to profit over time. If your opponent has 2 seconds on the clock, check each other set. This takes time, and you can win on time. This is no fun for your opponent but part of the game. If this happens to you then you should try to get your king to a square where no chess can be given as soon as possible. This square is difficult to find in time of need, but for this reason it is also important to keep thinking about making a safe square for your king much earlier.

My opponent and I both do this, how can I win on time?

Make surprising moves. This can be anything. Even attack an uncovered tower with an uncovered tower. You will be amazed at how many times Alireza Firouja and Hikaru Nakamura the two best Bullet (Bullet has a time control of 1+1 or 1+0) players in the world have done this to win a match. You are not very good, but you can do it by practicing a lot.

I want to get better at chess in time, how do I do that?

Play a lot of games. Two I would recommend using a time control without increment, for example 3+0 or 5+0. Three start with longer games and work your way up to 3+0. Four NEVER play 1+0, this is not a chess game, and it will not make you a better chess player. Five to get the best out of Bullet play 1+1. Here you can easily think for a second, just try not to go through your time. Six play the same opening every time. Pick one out and only play this. At a given moment you will see how the opening goes wrong and how well. Do not be afraid to lose, so you learn faster.