How to maximise your chess wins: the "Time zone method"

Best way to maximise your chess wins and minimise your losses - apart from the usual boring methods like studying hard or getting a coach - is to learn WHEN to play.

For example, for those of us lucky enough to be operating out of the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone, this is my understanding of the playing conditions:

*8am-10am: Easy pickings - with an important caveat (and a caveat to that caveat). Generally eastern and western Europeans playing well past their bedtime, sometimes drunk, possibly playing one last game at the end of a losing streak, so they tend to be beatable without too much effort. However, this natural time zone advantage may* be offset by the fact that for most people it's never a good idea to play first thing in the morning. Something to do with biorhythms. *This advice does not apply to "early birds" or "morning people", who may in fact be even more alert at this time of the day.

*10am-4pm: Ratings gold-rush. Primarily north and south Americans (eg USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil) and Australians, who are *COMPARATIVELY* the easiest opposition in the world.

*4-8pm: Good pickings. Primarily Southeast and South Asian opponents (e.g. Philippines, Indonesia, Nepal, Indian early birds - generally appearing in that order). Tough opposition, but generally beatable.

*8pm-Midnight: Tough. Hard core Indians, followed by Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, South Africa, Serbia, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, France, UK (generally appearing in that order). In my experience, this time bracket tends to have a 50% win-loss ratio, or worse. Given that some of these nations are 100% chess pedigree, not recommended.

*Midnight-8am: Don't even think about it. Prime time for western Europe & Indian night-owls - opposition far too tough. All AESTers should be tucked up in bed, letting the chess royalty thrash it out.

Cycle repeats....

I find the best way is to ignore time zones and just play Aussies....(onnlyyy joking  )

Weak mindset I am playing anyone if they are better that means I am learning. You win or you learn!

Lol this is nice

im stuck with having to play after work between 5pm and 830 pm eastern time zone. and im usually pretty tierd. if i could just quit my job an study chess i could improve alot but my wife would kill me ahah

Thanks for your question Charlie - I'm afraid my area of expertise in this field is limited to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone. You will need to conduct your own fieldwork, as I did, and report back to us. Good luck.

Hi Nikki - thanks for your observation, which is useful intelligence for those in your time zone.

Please note that my guide is relevant for The Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone only. 

Hi Daedealus - you might be correct.

However, I would much prefer to face a higher rating opponent from USA/Canada/Australia etc than, say, Russia or Ukraine. That's where the Time Zone Method is worth its weight in gold.

Ratings are actually amazingly accurate... in other words there's no difference between a 1600 from AU, IND, RUS, USA, etc.

My two cents.

But sure, I've wondered about this... not only time of day, but day of the week.

Haha...thanks mate...and we generally love nothing more than beating anyone with the Union Jack alongside their name.

But if you study the timezones you will be able to maximise your chances of facing Aussie opposition.  

I knew everyone would be impressed haha....

Thanks Dragon haha....hopefully you can develop your own guide matching your chess timezone. Don't forget to share it with us!

time of year maybe to?possible in beginning of summer there are more kids that got a break from school and are looking for some games

I think its different at some levels