Blitz is fine as long as you don't play too much.
In defence of Blitz
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Isn't that just what too much is? 
As an AB (Anonymous Blitzholic) I agree with you about the great value of blitz in tactical training. When you get better you can not only see 3-movers - you are able to conduct 10-move very forced lines almost at first sight.
All goes about the patterns. The more you play and try various combinations yourself (and also get beaten by opponent's combinations) you gain more knowledge about the most effective ways different pieces work together and typical setups where tactical motives apply.
One might say - you can learn the same by solving tactical puzzles. This is not the whole truth in my opinion. While solving the puzzles you are not that excited as during a game and you take no responsibility of your moves (they do not affect the result of a match). The most important is that when solving you know there is a tactical shot in a position (this is puzzle, isn't it?). In a game you have to spot the pattern without any hints.
I feel quite comfortable with tactics but that comes from thousands of blitz games against strong opponents (played against lots of 2200 while I was 1400 myself). I lost many of those but learned more patterns than from the puzzles (which I also fanatically solved).
I also agree blitz helps to play in longer games when we are low on time (this happens so frequently near the 40th move in FIDE time controls). I have recently played 25 minute game and made more than 20 moves during in 20 seconds (some internet players find that nearly impossible to play that fast OTB where you switch the clock after each move - I find that however much easier than dragging the pieces with mouse), finishing the game with checkmate. Without blitz training, I would probably lose on time in a winning position.
blitzjoker wrote:
best players are nearly all good at blitz too, so there must be a bit of a correlation. Right, I’ll get my tin hat now...
below 2200 blitz is not to be taken that seriously. it's supposed to be for fun mainly. nakamura has this quote on one of his internet accounts "bullet is a chess variant for people like nakamura, for everyone else it's a video game".
if you really look into endgames, you quickly realize that these things simply can't be played in a serious manner with a minute or two on the clock and it's not exactly chess skill that's deciding these games. which is why I think if someone fights you to a drawn, nearly drawn/mate in 70 endgame in the context of blitz/bullet, you don't really have any right to be saying anything about the person regardless of what ensues.
if you are actually serious about chess, then of course it can be used to train in certain specific manners. However, you kind of have to know what you are doing for it to be effective. From everything I've read/heard it's like a piece of advanced gym equipment -- if you don't know what you are doing with the thing, it won't be effective and you'll probably hurt yourself or something.
Blitz can be used for fun by lower rated players. For higher rated strong players it is used for 2 areasons:
1.To practice, sharpen and reinforce the 5 visualization pattern memory banks.
2.To hone time management with use of the clock for improving quick analysis when in time pressure in a regulation time OTB tournament game.
Dec 6, 2013
0
#7
Yaroslavl wrote:
Blitz can be used for fun by lower rated players. For higher rated strong players it is used for 2 areasons:
1.To practice, sharpen and reinforce the 5 visualization pattern memory banks.
2.To hone time management with use of the clock for improving quick analysis when in time pressure in a regulation time OTB tournament game.
I'm curious about this five. Could you explain?
i love blitz
Ziryab wrote:
Yaroslavl wrote:
Blitz can be used for fun by lower rated players. For higher rated strong players it is used for 2 areasons:
1.To practice, sharpen and reinforce the 5 visualization pattern memory banks.
2.To hone time management with use of the clock for improving quick analysis when in time pressure in a regulation time OTB tournament game.
I'm curious about this five. Could you explain?
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There are 5 visualization memory banks:
1.Matin Net visualization pattern memory bank
2.Tactics visualization pattern memory bank
3.Endgame visualization pattern memory bank
4.Openings visualization memory bank
5.Middlegame visualization pattern memory bank
If you would like to know more please let me know.
Dec 6, 2013
0
#10
@Yaroslavl
That sounds like a theory that can be attached to specific chess writers and specific chess books (or online publications). Can you provide such references?
Ziryab wrote:
@YaroslavlThat sounds like a theory that can be attached to specific chess writers and specific chess books (or online publications). Can you provide such references?
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No, I cannot provide you any references. I can, however tell that this was a training program that GM Ron Henley set up for me many years ago when we lived together for 2 years. GM Ron Henley was selected by GM Anatoly Karpov to be his second in Karpov's World Championship Match against GM Garry Kasparov in New York in 1990.
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This is an example of my response when I get questions about technique. I can simplify and shortcut some aspects of the training program you will have to practice for about 3 years
Evinadabef wrote:
There's a friend of mine who plays top notch chess. I notice that he ends up with the 2 bishops in most of his games. He beats many players that technique. Can someone explain this please. Is that a good technique?
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Yes, it is a good technique, but not simplistic.
Achieving the exchange of your Ns for your opponent's Bs is called the Minor Exchange. However, there are many exceptions to this technique. You must first acquire 5 visualization pattern memory banks.
Approaching the explanation of these exceptions in general terms from the endgame forward is usually the best method, proceeding from the simple case to the more complicated case. With that in mind first it necessary to learn the
1. Mating Net visualization pattern memory bank. You must be able to force mate your opponent's lone K with your K+2Bs. You must practice this until you can do it in your sleep. Only then will it become a technique for you. At that point it will become your mating net visualization pattern memory bank technique.
2. Endgame visualization pattern is your next task. By practicing and studying endgame books involving pawns involving B vs. N endgames. You must practice these until you can do them in your sleep. In the process you will discover the following elements:
a. Bs can get from one side of the board to the other in one move. Ns take several moves to get from one side of the board to the other. This is a time advantage to the B. As you know there are 3 advantages in chess (time, space, and material).
b. Open pawn structures favor the Bs. Closed pawn structures favor the Ns
c. Positions with open pawn structures and pawns on both sides of the board favor the Bs
*Exception: if the N can achieve a centralized post in the center of the board defended by a pawn and cannot be driven for that post by an enemy pawn the position is usually a draw.
d. Positions where the pawn structure is closed and cannot be opened without disadvantage favor the Ns
e. Positions where the pawns are all on one side of the board are usually drawn.
A very important fact to keep in mind is that, one, 2Bs together with any other piece are a mating force, two 2Bs are very effective at hemming in enemy pawns, 3 a B can trap a N on the edge of the board, a N cannot trap a B in the same manner.
If you would like to know more please let me know
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As I wrote above, there are 5 visualization pattern memory banks that you must acquire over those 3 years. The description above covers: a.one part (K+2Bs vs.K) of the complete Mating net visualization pattern which includes (K+R v K, K+Q v K, K+B+N v K and K+2Bs v K), the Endgame visualization pattern (K+p(s) v K, K+R+p(s) v K+R+p(s), K+B+p(s) v K+N+p(s), etc.), the opening and middlegame visualization pattern.The 5 visualization pattern memory banks are: (THIS IS WHERE I LOSE MOST PLAYERS BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THE HARD WORK INVOLVED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS)
1.Tactics visualization pattern memory bank
2.Mating Net visualization pattern memory bank
3.Endgame visualization pattern memory bank
4.Opening visualization pattern memory bank
5.Middle Game visualization pattern bank
Ok, I know that Blitz is probably not greatly beneficial to improving your skills in longer time controls, but I think there are a few points in its favour, beside it being good fun, and a nice way to fill a few minutes when you have no time for a long game.
First, I think it may improve your awareness of potential blunders due to undefended pieces or simple two or three move tactical sequences.
Two, It can be useful to get a lot of quick experience of opening variations, their problems and advantages, particularly if you are trying out a new opening.
Three, It’s also handy to be able to play quickly with some competence for those odd occasions when you need to in a ‘real’ game.
It has also struck me that the best players are nearly all good at blitz too, so there must be a bit of a correlation. Right, I’ll get my tin hat now...