Why Am I So Bad At Blitz?

Accessibility - Enable blind mode - Blind mode tutorialWhy am I so bad at blitz?12JohnLuke090904 #1

I recently played a rated blitz tournament and did very poorly. I am great in classical but blitz always gives me troubles. Why is this?

I recently played a rated blitz tournament and did very poorly. I am great in classical but blitz always gives me troubles. Why is this?1boochin #2

me to. i play rapid (10+0), and though i almost always finish the game with more than 5 minuets on my clock, i am more than 200 points lower on 5+0 blitz. i would like to know why this is.

me to. i play rapid (10+0), and though i almost always finish the game with more than 5 minuets on my clock, i am more than 200 points lower on 5+0 blitz. i would like to know why this is.aahAn_singH #3

No problem! It is just you are not used to such time jumps considering that classical is around 30 minutes on each clock and blitz can be a mere 3-5 minutes! Also in blitz you require quick and sudden reactions as you have to keep an eye on your time, and classical gives one plenty of time to think and strategise! TBH, almost no one can jump down clock times like that so easily, it is very normal.

No problem! It is just you are not used to such time jumps considering that classical is around 30 minutes on each clock and blitz can be a mere 3-5 minutes! Also in blitz you require quick and sudden reactions as you have to keep an eye on your time, and classical gives one plenty of time to think and strategise! TBH, almost no one can jump down clock times like that so easily, it is very normal.1aahAn_singH #4

And @boochin Even if you complete the game easily above five minutes in 10+0, you are still very comfortable with the time you have at the end which leaves time for you to think. In 5+0, after 1-2 minutes, you naturally start thinking it is time to play much faster, and you are not at all comfortable with your time. Maybe this is why.

And @boochin Even if you complete the game easily above five minutes in 10+0, you are still very comfortable with the time you have at the end which leaves time for you to think. In 5+0, after 1-2 minutes, you naturally start thinking it is time to play much faster, and you are not at all comfortable with your time. Maybe this is why.311JohnLuke090904 #5

@aahAn_singH It being OTB might also be the problem. I’m used to playing online so having it in person and using a clock was distracting.

@aahAn_singH It being OTB might also be the problem. I’m used to playing online so having it in person and using a clock was distracting.1screamingmonsters #6

@JohnLuke090904@boochinThe answer is simple: because the way you approach the game is move by move, trying too hard to see some eventual tactics. Improve your tactical skills and the problem shall be solved. Good luck!

@JohnLuke090904 @boochin The answer is simple: because the way you approach the game is move by move, trying too hard to see some eventual tactics. Improve your tactical skills and the problem shall be solved. Good luck!2kaissa44 #7

@JohnLuke090904 First off, you are NOT bad at blitz- you are better than most people on the site. My top blitz rating (on another account) was 1570.Blitz tends to be harder because many strong players use this pool regularly, and of course you have less time which leads to more mistakes from both sides. If you want to get better at blitz, train tactics at blitz speed so you can catch them during your games. Puzzle Rush (on chess.com) and Puzzle Storm and Racer (on Lichess) are great tools for that. Start with slow blitz and work your way down to 3+0. Don't play meme openings or mess around with high risk gambits and traps- these can backfire if your opponent plays their cards correctly. Also, manage your time decently- who likes getting a winning position and then giving away the point on time? If your opponent has a minor advantage and/or is lower on time (less than 1 or 2 minutes) don't resign. You may have drawing or even winning chances. Good luck and have fun :)

@JohnLuke090904 First off, you are NOT bad at blitz- you are better than most people on the site. My top blitz rating (on another account) was 1570. Blitz tends to be harder because many strong players use this pool regularly, and of course you have less time which leads to more mistakes from both sides. If you want to get better at blitz, train tactics at blitz speed so you can catch them during your games. Puzzle Rush (on chess.com) and Puzzle Storm and Racer (on Lichess) are great tools for that. Start with slow blitz and work your way down to 3+0. Don't play meme openings or mess around with high risk gambits and traps- these can backfire if your opponent plays their cards correctly. Also, manage your time decently- who likes getting a winning position and then giving away the point on time? If your opponent has a minor advantage and/or is lower on time (less than 1 or 2 minutes) don't resign. You may have drawing or even winning chances. Good luck and have fun :)JohnLuke090904 #8

@screamingmonsters OMG How did you know that I suck at tactics?!

@screamingmonsters OMG How did you know that I suck at tactics?!1kaissa44 #9

@JohnLuke090904 because blitz IS tactics :)

@JohnLuke090904 because blitz IS tactics :)2ZwischenzugX11edited #10

Blitz involves1.a lot of tactics,2.moves are to be played mostly by intuition.3.Tricks and traps become more deadly due to the time constraint.

In blitz,4.Moves have to be calculated quickly and executed without much hesitation and waste of time.5.Being good at longer time controls does help to improve shorter time control games.6.There is also some flagging involved, atleast in 3+0 so time management is key...

Improving in these aspects aswell as improvement in chess in general will help get better at blitz..

Blitz involves 1.a lot of tactics, 2.moves are to be played mostly by intuition. 3.Tricks and traps become more deadly due to the time constraint. In blitz, 4.Moves have to be calculated quickly and executed without much hesitation and waste of time. 5.Being good at longer time controls does help to improve shorter time control games. 6.There is also some flagging involved, atleast in 3+0 so time management is key... Improving in these aspects aswell as improvement in chess in general will help get better at blitz..3112

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