How to Play (and Win) Blitz Chess

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Learn the ins and outs of this popular version of Speed Chess
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Blitz chess, a variation of Speed Chess, is much like standard Chess, but each player only gets about 3-5 minutes total to take their turn. This creates a flurry of moves as both players hustle to mate their opponent’s king and take the win. We’re here to fill you in on all the special rules of the game, how to play it, and common strategies. We also chatted with Grandmaster Sahaj Grover to bring you top tips on improving your game.

Blitz Chess Overview

In Blitz Chess, either player has only 3-5 minutes to make their share of moves. Standard rules apply, but players must move and hit the clock with the same hand, and win by mating a king, or having mating material when their opponent’s time runs out.

Section 1 of 4:

Blitz Chess Rules

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  1. In a typical game of chess, players get a total allotted amount of time to take their turns—time starts at the end of the opponent’s turn, and pauses at the end of your own. In Blitz Chess, that time is drastically shorter. Tournament rules often give either player a total of just 3-5 minutes to take all their turns. [1]
    • This makes for an exciting, breakneck game that often involves many unconventional moves, as players are pressured to take their turns quickly.
    • Some games also use “increment” timing, which is a brief buffer of only a few seconds that you may use to move pieces even after your base time expires.
  2. During a game of Blitz Chess, players can only use one hand to both move pawns and hit the clock when their turn is finished. [2] This helps keep fair timing, and prevents mishaps on the board.
    • During in-person games, players may only touch the clock to end their turn, or to straighten it when it’s been shifted.
    • Also, players typically are not allowed to speak to each other, since both time and concentration are in short supply!
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  3. Just like in standard Chess, the aim is to trap your opponent’s king. In Blitz Chess, though, the clock is more of a threat than ever, and you don’t want to be caught with no time left. If your time runs out and it’s possible for your opponent to mate with the pieces they have left, they win! [3]
    • Also, many tournaments have stricter rules for illegal moves than in normal chess games. Some tourneys disqualify a player if they make a single illegal move, then hit the clock, so play carefully!
    • It is possible for a game of Blitz Chess to end in a draw, like with a stalemate, or if one or both players run out of time without “mating material,” or conditions needed to checkmate (like which pieces are present on the board.
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Section 2 of 4:

Playing Blitz Chess

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  1. Blitz chess, or similar versions of speed chess, are common ways to play the game, and you’ll likely find an opponent just about anywhere chess is played. Hit up a chess club, public chess location (like a public park), or a scheduled event to find other players.
  2. Players sometimes lose because of finger fatigue. Stretching your fingers and arms will help you stay limber and precise as you play. For a quick stretching exercise, flex your fingers 10 times, make a fist 10 times, then touch your thumb to each of your other fingertips 10 times each. [4]
    • Place your palm flat on a table. Straighten your fingers as flat as you can against the surface of the table, and hold for 30 seconds. Release and repeat 4 times.
    • Stretch your arms all the way out on either side of your body, then up over your head. Then slowly swing your arms in large circles for 30 seconds.
    • Breathe in for 10 seconds, then out for 10 seconds to settle your nerves before a game.
  3. Once the game starts, you may only use one hand to both move pieces and hit the clock, and you’re not allowed to reorganize the table, so take it all in and note where things are. Also take note of how much time you and your opponent are playing with, which is decided beforehand. [5]
    • Black usually decides which side of the board to place the clock. [6] They also often choose on which side of the table both players sit.
  4. Just like standard chess, White takes the first move. [7] Start the clock, make your opening move, then reach over and hit the clock to pause your time as soon as your turn is over.
    • As in standard chess, aim to checkmate your opponent. Unlike standard chess, though, a simple mate, or even just the possibility of a mate, is often enough to win the game, so long as your opponent runs out of time.
    • Remember that the point of Blitz chess is playing a fun, fast chess game. If you take too long to agonize over your moves, you'll lose! Budget your time well.
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Section 3 of 4:

Practicing & Improving Your Game

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  1. A great way to improve at Blitz Chess is to play standard or even longer games, to familiarize yourself with common moves, gambits, and game situations in an environment where you can think through them. Grandmaster and world champion Sahaj Grover recommends even playing alone against yourself to puzzle out different situations.
    • Then, those skills and knowledge will carry over to Blitz Chess, and you’ll find yourself making more advanced moves with less thought.
    • Unfortunately, many Blitz Chess skills don’t transfer back to standard Chess, and may even encourage sloppy play. If your aim is to improve at Chess overall, focus on playing standard Chess games.
  2. One of the best ways to improve at both standard and Blitz Chess is to play with more advanced players that challenge you to better your game. Think about the moves they make and why to discover more about your own game. Also, play with less skilled players to learn which mistakes to avoid. Grandmaster Sahaj Grover says to record and play back your games, to analyze them later.
    • Playing online is a great way to find players of all skill levels from the comfort of your home.
  3. Chess is a lot like learning a language. There’s a whole world of moves, strategies, and theories, and the more you’re familiar with them, the quicker you’ll be able to think and move with confidence. Grandmaster Sahaj Grover suggests reading books or using online tools or articles on the game to expand your game knowledge and hone your strategy.
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Section 4 of 4:

Blitz Chess Strategies

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  1. If you’re making the first move, keep in mind that some openings are better suited to Blitz Chess than others that might be better suited to standard Chess. In general, avoid familiar openings which your opponent might be able to play out with a simple variation. Instead, focus on openings that rely more on flexibility and adaptive thinking. [8]
  2. Time is of the essence in Blitz Chess, so the more you make your opponent think, the better. Whenever possible, go for a complex or opaque move to unbalance your opponent and make them fumble, costing them precious time. [9]
    • Also, sticking to just a few openings or strategies can help you get familiar with all the variations of them, giving you a “home team” edge over your opponent.
  3. Remember that in most games of Blitz Chess, you only have about 3 minutes total to make your share of moves! The best Blitz players know their stuff, sure, but they also don’t agonize too much over any single move. [10] Keep your head clear, do what feels right, and keep the game moving.
    • You’re not going to win every game you play, but every game is an opportunity to learn! If you make a mistake, analyze it, then go onto the next game.
  4. In many Blitz Chess games, players may claim a win if they have the pieces to mate their opponent when their opponent runs out of time. That’s why one strategy is to simply play to retain your pieces, making your opponent waste time so that when they run down the clock, even if you haven’t checkmated them, you win by default. [11]
    • If you must, sacrifice a pawn over any other piece. Pawns are often disposable, but other pieces make for better mate material.
    • On the other hand, an unexpected and risky attack may throw your opponent off their game, opening an advantage for you.
  5. In all Chess games, you hit the clock to stop your timer as soon as you’ve made your move. [12] In Blitz Chess, it’s especially easy to waste time thinking through a single move. If you need to buy time, make a quick, safe move, like moving your king back and forth, to stall and help you think through your strategy.
    • Just be aware of what your opponent is doing. While you idle, your opponent may go on the offensive!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Should beginners play blitz chess?
    Vitaly Neimer
    International Chess Master
    Vitaly Neimer is an International Chess Master and Certified Professional Chess Coach with over 15 years of training experience. He has been a part of the United States' Webster SPICE national chess champion team and is also a two-time Israeli national chess champion.
    Vitaly Neimer
    International Chess Master
    Expert Answer
    Keep in mind that you don't learn as much about chess when you play blitz. If you're new to chess and are just learning, you should stay away from blitz chess because it's mostly about intuition and time management. If you're an expert and you know your theory and opening, then playing blitz chess is something that is more fun.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 14
  • Question
    In speed chess, if my opponent's clock time per move runs out, do I get to take a piece?
    Community Answer
    No, you do not get to take a piece. If you are playing with an increment, for example 10 | 5, a ten minute game with an additional 5 seconds per move which is extra time for the players to play the game. The extra time per move is so that if the players play a 100 move game, they will have more time, but still play a fast paced game. When the extra time runs out, their base time starts to run down. If your opponent runs out of time, and their flag falls on the clock, you may claim a win on time, you do not have to claim a win on time.
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  • Question
    In blitz what will I use more, calculation or intuition?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Probably intuition unless you are an exceptionally fast thinker or you're very experienced at blitz chess.
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      Tips

      • Other varieties of Speed Chess include Rapid, which affords more than 10 minutes per player, and Bullet, which gives each player only 1-2 minutes. [13]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/wp-thumbnails/2018/12/US-Chess-Rule-Book-Online-Only-Edition-v7-chp-11-1-1-20-1.pdf
      2. ↑ https://menloparkchess.club/tournaments/uschess-rules-for-blitz-chess/
      3. ↑ https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/wp-thumbnails/2018/12/US-Chess-Rule-Book-Online-Only-Edition-v7-chp-11-1-1-20-1.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20546847
      5. ↑ https://new.uschess.org/sites/default/files/wp-thumbnails/2018/12/US-Chess-Rule-Book-Online-Only-Edition-v7-chp-11-1-1-20-1.pdf
      6. ↑ http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/chess_clock/chess_clock.htm
      7. ↑ https://new.uschess.org/news/evolution-modern-chess-rules-white-moves-first
      8. ↑ https://thechessworld.com/articles/training-techniques/5-things-for-playing-better-blitz/
      9. ↑ https://thechessworld.com/articles/training-techniques/5-things-for-playing-better-blitz/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7131Lmks9g&t=68s
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/K7131Lmks9g?si=54OzrjkD7osyNH56&t=84
      3. ↑ https://www.fide.com/FIDE/handbook/WorldRapidBlitzChampionshipsRegulations.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.chessclub.com/help/bullet

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Blitz chess, also known as speed chess, is played just like regular chess except players only have 10 minutes (or less) to complete the game. The standard rules of movement, capture, and endgame are exactly like regular chess, so your main goals in blitz chess are to hustle, make practical decisions, and complete the best moves you can in the short time allowed. The person playing White gets the privilege of moving first, while the person playing Black chooses which side of the table they want to sit on. Then, the 2 opponents sit down across from each other with the chess board between them and set up their respective pieces on the board. Each player gets 10 minutes total to make all of their moves, so set up 2 timers. Start the first timer so White can make their opening move. Time is of the essence, so open with a strategy you’re familiar with. After you move your piece, pause the timer. Black then starts their timer, takes their turn, and pauses their timer. Gameplay continues the same way. Players only have a few seconds to make each move if they want to complete the game in the allotted time. It can help to keep a few things in mind as the game advances: protect your pieces at all times, remember to make strong moves, attack your opponent when you can, and trust your intuition to help you make fast choices. Be sure to practice in your free time so you can get really good at making split-second decisions! For more tips from our Chess Master co-author, including how to master the basics, read on!

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