Any tips for OTB blitz?
Sort:
In a week, I'll probably go to a 3+2 OTB tournament (I just sent the registration email, but they'll probably accept). It's going to be a swiss type of tournament, 8 rounds. I already know the touch move rule, and all OTB specific rules. I'll also practice to press the clock quicker. I'll play 1. e4 as always, against 1. e4 the Sicilian, as always, but I think the QGD is just too passive for blitz. I may learn the KID's main ideas.
Keep an eye on the clock at all times
It's so easy to flag in OTB 3+2 even when you're winning
Thank you CBB. Yes, I will always keep an eye on the clock, I will practice that by playing some OTB 3+2 blitz with my friends. Btw, they accepted so I will 100% surely play.
Feb 12, 2026
0
#4
Try to avoid seeing/asking your opponents rating before the game if you can. It just adds an extra layer of stress. If they are higher rated you subconsciously feel less confident and if you are a lot higher rated you feel stressed if you don’t see an obvious winning position because you “don’t want to lose against such a player in an official game” and lose a bunch of Elo. If you don’t know then you can just focus on the chess and look after
#4 it's probably unrated and they won't show ratings, but yes, that is a very good advice. I will avoid knowing the opponent's rating if I can.
Guys I know it's crazy but I'll also go to a FIDE rated OTB 7 rounds 5+3 blitz tournament on Sunday….
Fet, I'm also doing a 3+2 and a 5+3 tournament soon... Are you sure we're not doing the same tourneys lmao
#7 are your tournaments in Spain? Because if yes, then maybe…..
Good luck with your tournaments.
#8 Nah lol it's just a coincidence then
About learning the KID, I wouldn’t recommend to try and learn a new opening right before a tournament, as in many other activities. If you have a tennis tournament, you're not gonna change your racket or your shoes a week before the tournament. If you're confident with the QGD, I would recommend staying with it, but if you're not, the advantage if you study well a new opening is that it's going to be fresh in your mind for the tournament. You could also try to learn a less known line, which is often less study as you don't have to learn every line. So go with what you're going to be the most confident with would be my advice.
Good luck for your tournament and have fun !
Yeah, I just stepped away from the KID. It's just too complex for me….
Guys, I may be cooked…. In the 5+3 tournament, there is an IM, 2 FMs and 1 CM. In the 3+2 tournament, 3 FMs, and 2 CMs…. But I'm going to try my best. And for my rating establishment, it can only be good, since for that, this is the formula: O+(R-0,5)*400. Where O is Opponent's rating, R is the result (win 1, draw 0,5, loss 0). This is calculated for each opponent you face, and then they calculate the average. If you play more than 5 games and you don't lose all of them, then you'll get your first FIDE rating like this! I'll show you an example: first 5 games: loss against 1900 draw against 1700 win against 1600 win against 1700 draw against 1800. Loss against 1900: 1900+(0-0,5)*400=1.700. Draw against 1700: 1700+(0,5-0,5)*400=1.700. Win against 1600: 1600+(1-0,5)*400=1.800. Win against 1700= 1700+(1-0,5)*400=1.900. Draw against 1800= 1800+(0,5-0,5)*400=1.800. Calculate the average: (1700+1700+1800+1900+1800)/5=1.780. So, basically, if I lose a game against a 2300, that'll count as a 2100 performance toward the average. Of course, I'll win some games against lower rated players, so I won't lose all my games.
Anything can happen in blitz. Don't be scared of the titled players