How to Deal with Time Pressure

Is there any method for overcoming time stress? I can play a game in 15 minutes, while thinking clearly and playing well when there isn't an actual clock. But the second I know there's pressure to finish in time I start blundering left and right. My blitz game is a joke. My correspondence is my best rating, not because I'm actually thinking for days, but because there's no time pressure. I take about the same amount of time in daily chess as I would in a regular game. Anyone deal with this? Everyone around here seems to have a slightly lower blitz and bullet score, obviously less time will do that. But mine is just abysmal.

A lot of blitz is keeping an updated mental list of all undefended pieces and possible checks, and just knowing certain common tactical patterns. All this enables a player to find safe moves quickly. Blitz moves don't have to be objectively good, just safe from any game ending tactics during the next 1 or 2 moves. Doing that alone would practically double your blitz rating

Ok, my post seems to have avoided your question so I'll post again. When I've taken a break from chess, or I'm trying to play while really sick or tired, I'm uncomfortable in time pressure because I can't develop a clear list of undefended pieces and immediate threats. I can't, for example, imagine my intended move as if it's already been made, and immediately see the 1 move threats my opponent can play in response.

To get better at it, first practice it in longer games, then work your way down to faster and faster time controls. 

 I don't really have an answer for you, I'm awful at playing fast. But I do think it's human to be less accurate while under pressure. It's the same thing in basketball when a star point guard misses a shot he'd normally make when the shot clock is down. Maybe one thing you could try is to play with an increment, and try to play fast in the opening so you can bank time for when you need it. 

Thank you. I know my own post went off-topic so I understand your blitz comment. They're both really helpful. It seems like I can play a rapid game well (or to the best of my ability). It's literally just a matter of whether the ticking clock is there or not. And I don't get it. It's frustrating 

There was a new kid at the club this one time, and he was super nervous about playing with a clock. I finally said look, we're going to use it, but here, I'll set the time to 2 hours each so you don't worry about it, and you can get used to hitting it 

One answer would be to play a few 100 blitz games to get some experience. That way it may not be so stressful for you. (and just accept that at first it's not going to be any fun)

That's actually really helpful advice. Thank you. I've played several 25 minute games, with the clock, without issue. Because it seems like it's more beneficial to slow down and take my time because I can reach checkmate before time runs out. I need to just get some blitz games going and maybe I'll get a better feel about how long 5 minutes really is. I'm also a very shallow thinker when it's quick. I've never heard of keeping a running list.

Yeah, at first it's annoying because it takes a lot of effort (noticing undefended pieces, and possible checks). But after a while it becomes a habit and mostly unconscious. One way to look at it would be it only changes one move at a time. So in the middle of a game you only really need to look at the squares a move undefended, or whether the piece that moved is defended.

while I'm not that good at blitz either.

I think you cannot be to obsessed with time.  you have to use enough time to keep your peices safe; and if you are flagged-- the heck with it!

the problem is IMHO, in blitz and fast question the fundamental question is changed.   Not "what is the best move?"  but "what is a good move that doesn't lose a peice or pawn"

go with your instincts on planning and avoid complications like a plague.   obsess over loose peices and easy tactics!  this then is one of the big advantages of blitz... IF. you refuse to let the clock rush you.

My issue with time pressure was not knowing how to create a middlegame plan.  Once that was resolved, my tme pressue issues pretty much went away.

How do you create a middlegame plan in time pressure.  Do you just try to memorize patterns in your openings

Some openings tend to lead in certain directions, like the French Defense counterattacking on the Q-side beginning with ...c5 and I also try to use one or more of the four principles from Fred Wilson's book Simple Attacking Plans where the 4 principles are demonstrated by 36 annotated games:

I have come to believe there are only four essential, even primitive, concepts which you must learn and understand in order to play successful, attacking chess - Fred Wilson

1. In the opening, whenever justified, relentlessly attack the weak squares f7 or f2.
2. Most successful kingside attacks are directed against the squares h7 or h2, and they are often preceded by eliminating or driving off its defender. Corollary: most successful attacks require a long queen move.
3. If your opponent’s king is trapped in the center, make every reasonable effort to open and dominate the e-file, and sometimes the d-file also.
4. If possible, point all your pieces at your opponent’s king.

Start with 15|10 (what you're comfortable with), and slowly work your way down. Don't immediately jump to playing bullet/blitz, but practice with a slightly faster time control, get comfortable with it, and repeat until you get to bullet/blitz.

But anyway, I suggest you learn the game and gain experience before playing bullet/blitz. Being good at slow chess precedes being good at fast chess, like many other disciplines.

After that it's about experience, pattern recognition, and intuition. 

#1
"Is there any method for overcoming time stress?" ++ Do not look at the clock, just play at the appropriate pace. It is just as acceptable to lose on time as to lose on the board.
"I can play a game in 15 minutes, while thinking clearly and playing well" Play rapid and ignore the clock.
"My blitz game is a joke." ++ Do not play blitz.
Play with increment, then you always have time to orderly finish your game. The best time control is the FIDE rapid standard 15|10.