10 mins vs 10|5 mins. Which one do you actually prefer?
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Apr 25, 2026
0
#2
I like 10|5. That way, if you are like me and you spend a lot of time in the middlegame, you get some extra time in the endgame. Like you, I feel like endgames become scrambles if it is just flat 10 mins
I dont even play anything longer than 3|0
okak
I like 10|5 because there is almost no flagging but I play 10|0 because on my level it’s impossible to find opponents for anything longer than 10|0
Apr 26, 2026
0
#10
I usually play 15|10, and among these two formats, both help you, though I'd prefer 10|5.
• 10|0 relies on speed, intution, and your ability to calculate faster under pressure is tested. If you're a causal player who wants games to end faster, or want to practice intution and improve your speed, this is the perfect format.
• 10|5 is usually longer, and the increment provides more room for better calculation. If you want to improve calculation, but keep games short, 10|5 is your right pick. If you're a serious player preparing for tournaments, practice 15|10, it tests your calculation ability more.
Rishi_V-23 wrote:
I usually play 15|10, and among these two formats, both help you, though I'd prefer 10|5.
• 10|0 relies on speed, intution, and your ability to calculate faster under pressure is tested. If you're a causal player who wants games to end faster, or want to practice intution and improve your speed, this is the perfect format.
• 10|5 is usually longer, and the increment provides more room for better calculation. If you want to improve calculation, but keep games short, 10|5 is your right pick. If you're a serious player preparing for tournaments, practice 15|10, it tests your calculation ability more.
15|10 is very deep.
29 days ago
0
#13
10+0 because i play like a brick and i need to be able to flag my opponents
29 days ago
0
#14
sssecretstudenttt wrote:
Rishi_V-23 wrote:
I usually play 15|10, and among these two formats, both help you, though I'd prefer 10|5.
• 10|0 relies on speed, intution, and your ability to calculate faster under pressure is tested. If you're a causal player who wants games to end faster, or want to practice intution and improve your speed, this is the perfect format.
• 10|5 is usually longer, and the increment provides more room for better calculation. If you want to improve calculation, but keep games short, 10|5 is your right pick. If you're a serious player preparing for tournaments, practice 15|10, it tests your calculation ability more.
15|10 is very deep.
Yes, I want it to be deep, since I'm preparing for classical OTB tournaments too!
Sushigoku wrote:
67!
I think this is a special mode for you.
29 days ago
0
#18
10+0 because it makes certain the game can’t go over 20 minutes. That small 5 second increment can add up and I don’t want to play another game when I might be late somewhere because increment.
Having increment probably leads to better quality play, since flagging the opponent isn’t as realistic. I hate getting dirty flagged as much as the next person, but since my chess.com stats page shows I flag way more players than I get flagged, then it’s to my advantage to play 10+0.
Anyway, I'm back in 10|0 minute mode. 
I've been thinking about this lately. Both are rapid but they feel completely different to play.
With flat 10 minutes, endgames turn into a reflex test. 10|5 just feels better to me. The increment keeps the game quality up even in the final moves. Endgames stay interesting instead of becoming a scramble. So what do you prefer?