bishop_g5,
Blitz should be played by people who have already mastered classical chess. For a beginner to play 5 minute chess is just crazy.
I tend to agree. I'm probably a step above beginner (1500) and blitz chess has some value, but not much in terms of priority if your goal is to learn and improve at chess.
I turned to blitz when I was losing G30 games on time repeatedly at my local chess club (rated USCF games). I was playing fine, often had an advantage even, but I was reaching situations again and again where my opponent had 15 minutes left and I had 2... So, out of frustration maybe, I decided to practice blitz and learn how to make "moves that don't lose immediately" quickly. This did benefit me in just a couple months and now, a few months later, I am able to keep up better on the clock and also play in time pressure (not that well, but often well enough) so that I don't lose every game.
Blitz has also helped me learn new openings more quickly.
But I think these two benefits have also come at a cost. Blitz is fun! So I kept playing blitz over and over, sometimes instead of standard games or studying and what I noticed is that eventually I developed some bad habits.... I move more impulsively at times now, even when I have lots of time on the clock! And I also find that I'm making shallow moves at times... so I think playing too much blitz results in some bad habits, and probably doesn't have much value if you want to improve your game.
I don't regret my decision to play blitz and acquire that ability to move quickly in time control when necessary, but now I'm finding that taking a break from blitz for awhile and playing slower time controls and analyzing in more depth is critical now if I ever want to improve from 1500.
I agree. I was trying to make the same point.
You have to take a break from blitz and really put in work.
@pdve said it well...
,
"Blitz should be played by people who have already mastered classical chess."
If you just want to have fast fun and not get better, or MAYbe practice openings, blitz is there. Blitz is the crack cocaine of chess. It'll always be there for people to get their quick high. I play 10 mins games (my minimum) to practice openings and find my opening flaws, but prefer to play at least 20 min games to get better.