How to Play Blitz Chess

Co-authored by Vitaly Neimer

Blitz chess, also known as Speed Chess, is a single, time-controlled game of 1-10 minutes. Playing Blitz chess creates a flurry of moves, as both players hustle to complete their respective halves of a chess game, depending on which rule set they're playing under. Other than the blazing-fast speed required to complete a full chess game in such little time, the standard rules of movement, capture, and game ending apply.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Play the Game

1
Obtain a chess board. You will also need to have chess pieces and a chess clock. Try going for a simple and small-sized board. A smaller board will make it easier to move the pieces across the board. Plastic or wooden boards are okay.^{[1]
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- Playing online is also an option. For this, you will need a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone with an internet connection.
- Clock apps can be downloaded onto your devices if you don't own a chess clock.
2
Learn the basic rules. You will need to learn the rules before playing blitz chess. First, familiarize yourself with the rules of standard chess. The rules are basically the same in standard and blitz chess. The only differences are the treatment and penalties for illegal moves, and the timing formats.^{[2]
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- The second illegal move will lose in a game of blitz chess.
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3
Find an opponent. Anyone that knows how to play the game will do. Consider your level of playing when choosing an opponent. Don’t start off with someone that is much more advanced than you when you are a beginner.^{[3]
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4
Do finger stretches before you begin to play (optional). Players sometimes lose because of finger fatigue. Stretching your fingers will help circulation as you play.
- Make a gentle fist. Hold for thirty seconds. Then, release and spread your fingers wide. Repeat four times.^{[4]
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- Place your palm flat on a table. Straighten your fingers as flat as you can against the surface of the table. Hold for thirty seconds. Release and repeat four times.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Playing the Game

1
Face off against your opponent over the chess board. The person playing White gets the privilege of moving first, but the person playing Black chooses which side of the table to sit on.
2
Inspect everything about the table. This includes how the pieces are set up, the time on the clocks and the clock's orientation. Once the game begins, none of these can be changed.
- The time on the clocks should be set to the amount of time you want to play the game. In a blitz game, you should set the clock between one to ten minutes.
- The clock should be placed on either side of the chess board. Black usually decides which side of the board to place the clock.^{[5]
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3
Move first if you're playing White. Wait for your opponent to move if you're playing Black.
- After every move, you must hit the plunger on your side of the chess clock with the same hand you used to move the chess piece. This pauses your clock and starts your opponent's.
- 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.
4
Continue playing until the game ends.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Improving Your Game

1
Play standard games of chess. A game of blitz chess is not that different from any other game of chess. Blitz chess is just played much faster. The fast-paced game of blitz chess may be too overwhelming for someone who is new to the game of chess. A good way to get better at blitz chess is to improve your game of standard chess.^{[6]
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2
Play a slightly longer game. Blitz chess can often seem harder than standard chess because the short time of the game makes the player emotional and excited. Try playing a slightly longer game. Playing a longer game will help you train to think clearly and rationally while playing.^{[7]
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3
Practice with stronger players. The best way to improve at blitz chess is to play with more advanced players that challenge you to better your game. It may get tiring to play with much more advanced players too often, so practice with other players with different levels of strength.^{[8]
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- Try playing with a player that you beat 1 out of 4 to 1 of 8 games against.
- Occasionally play with weaker players. This will build your confidence, and help the weaker players improve their games.
- Try playing online if you can't find players near your level in-person.
4
Study game tactics. Chess is thought to be 80% tactics, and it is not any different for blitz chess. Pay attention to your and your opponent’s positions while playing. Spotting your opponent’s tactics and tactical mistakes will give an advantage in the game.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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.
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.
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.

Warnings

Watch for the time you have left after two moves.

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Do not make any illegal moves. Doing so may forfeit your game.

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