How to Use a Chess Clock: 3 Blitz Timing Hacks to Win More Games

Blitz chess is as much a race against the clock as it is a tactical duel on the board. One misstep on the clock—pre-moving at the wrong time, forgetting to hit the button, or spending too long on a routine move—and the game can slip through your fingers. Here are three practical tips to help you take control of your time and convert those extra seconds into real advantage.

1. Premove Only on Trades

Most blitz players get into the habit of pre-moving every move, but that can backfire when your opponent plays an unexpected intermediate move.

• When to pre-move: Only when you’re absolutely certain your opponent will capture or recapture on that square (e.g., trading bishops on c4xd5).

• Why it works: You eliminate the overhead of mouse-clicks on forced exchanges while minimizing the risk of a blunder.

2. Always Keep One Eye on the Clock

Your brain can get so wrapped up in tactics that you forget time is slipping away.

• Gear shifts: When your clock dips below 30 seconds, switch to ultra-fast moves—safety first, tactics second.

• Practical drill: In training, play a few games where you glance at the clock every other move; build the habit.

3. Auto-Promote to Queen

Nearly every pawn that reaches the eighth rank becomes a queen. Why waste precious seconds choosing?

• Settings tip: In Chess.com’s “Game Settings” turn on “Default: Queen” under Promotions.

• Seconds saved: Even a half-second per promotion can add up over multiple blitz games.

Ready to beat the clock?
Try these three hacks in your next blitz session on Chess.com and watch your flag–win ratio climb. Share your results in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow for more practical chess-clock drills!