Get a higher rapid elo

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Avatar of FishyAloe
Hello, are there any general tips to get better at rapid ? My major problem is that I take a lot of time to think about my moves and analyze my opponent’s.
Avatar of Amari2OI4

Three ways:

1: Look for forcing moves - If you find forcing moves, your opponent HAS to respond to them, if you find a "forcing move" where your opponent can respond with a forcing move you HAVE to respond to, it's not a forcing move. Forcing moves make it so your opponent has to respond to your threat, these are: Checks, Captures and attacks. These moves can help waste time or change the position in a beneficial way.

2: Play bullet - Playing bullet enables you to think fast, however, this method is like a gambit, you're sacrificing some of your chess skill for the ability to think fast. Using this ability, it's pretty easy to regain your skill.

3: Play bots: Playing bots give you an unlimited time control which can help you practice thinking fast without losing ELO or having any sort of risk.

Avatar of arnesons
I HATE the kitten bot, but he is a great chess player
Avatar of FishyAloe
#2
1. Could you please tell me more about attacks ? I’m unsure of what they are.

2. Alright, I’ll try this

3. Well I can consistently beat the 600 elo « Engine » bot, but…I think tou can see where’s the problem ?
Avatar of Asnitte
FishyAloe님이 썼습니다:
My major problem is that I take a lot of time to think about my moves and analyze my opponent’s.

It's a good habit to think a lot about your move and your opponent's. The important thing is how to reduce the time spent there. But I don't think you need to consider this yet. Once you improve your skills first, the time it takes to find a good move will naturally decrease.
 If you lose a lot because of time, try playing 15|10 rapid. Defeat by time rarely happens because both players get +10 seconds with each move.
 About bullet or blitz: You can have a time-conscious experience while playing games. If you've not played bullet or blitz a lot, this experience can help you improve your time controlling skills.
 However, this is not a long-term recommendation. Short games usually rely on intuition rather than calculation, so they do not improve your skills (rather, it can be harmful). Use them only to improve time-conscious skills.

Avatar of Asnitte

For attacking : 
 In openings, you will develop your pieces, make them active, and build a formation. At this time, you have to focus on your opponent's opportunistic attack and prevent them.
 After your pieces are fully developed and king is castled, you have to find a way to make a better trade of your pieces. Middlegame is about finding some chances to benefit from, and how to make a better trade for you.
1. You must not miss if there is a free piece for your opponent to take.
2. Keep your eye on chance for tactics : fork, skewer, discovered attack. If you can make these situations, it would be beneficial.
 Attack means creating a chance where you can benefit, forcing your opponent to respond, but after all you still gain benefits. Find opportunities, calculate, and attack if you can benefit. If you can't benefit from attack, you should not start it. If your opponent defends perfectly, you can face a strong counterattack.

Avatar of Asnitte

+) If you patternize some situations that need to be immediately responded, it would be helpful.

For example :

Avatar of Amari2OI4
FishyAloe wrote:
#2
1. Could you please tell me more about attacks ? I’m unsure of what they are.
2. Alright, I’ll try this
3. Well I can consistently beat the 600 elo « Engine » bot, but…I think tou can see where’s the problem ?

1) Attacks are taking pieces, for example, iniating exchanges.

3) Try more puzzles or try ramping up the bot's difficulty so you get used to playing at that level.

Avatar of ChessMasteryOfficial

Improve your calculation skills by practicing tactical puzzles and visualization exercises. Train yourself to quickly assess candidate moves and evaluate their consequences before making a decision.

Avatar of FishyAloe
Alright, thanks a lot everyone, i’ll come back after following your advice to tell you how it’s going !
Avatar of Yao_Wang
arnesons wrote:
I HATE the kitten bot, but he is a great chess player

You mean Mittens? If so, ya Mittens is one of the best bots

Avatar of blueemu

An appalling number of players have entirely the wrong idea about "Attacking".

You do NOT gain the advantage by attacking. That is a very wide-spread misconception. The attack is NOT a goal to strive for. Another misconception.

Attack is a PROCESS. It is a method... not a goal.

The GOAL is to gain the advantage. You accomplish this by out-maneuvering the opponent.

AFTER you have gained the advantage, THEN you can - and MUST - attack. Attack is the process by which you convert ONE type of advantage (for example, more control of the center, better piece development, sounder Pawn structure) into A DIFFERENT type of advantage (for example, checkmate or the win of material).

The advantage is gained by maneuver. Attacking is just how you cash it in.