In Blitz I just try to play sound moves and when I see my opponent make a move that looks wrong I'll analyze it to see how to take advantage of it. It gets harder to win at high levels when people don't make major mistakes. Unlike in standard time controls, you only have time to find one move. If you find a move that isn't bad, play it.
Why am I so bad at fast chess?
Sort:
Stop playing blitz chess, problem solved. Unless your master tactian your not going to improve.
It is very normal because there is less points in blitz overall because you are faster so nearly everyone just has lower ratings in the blitz and bullet ratings
Over the years I've come to the conclusion that some people are really suited for fast chess, and others (like me) simply aren't cut out for it. That's why there are IMs/GMs who are much weaker in blitz than in normal tournament play, and why there are players who perform hundreds of points higher in blitz than in slower play.
Fine said once he played a lot both Capablanca and Alekhine at blitz in the 30's. While against AAA the score was more or less even, usually Capa was crushing him like a bug. Of course this difference didn't exist in standard time controls.
In my opinion, bullet and blitz rely more on pattern recognition than raw calculation because there's no time to calculate everything.
Basically, you need to have a good understanding of different structures -- which are good and which are bad -- and common ways to attack and defend them. For example, how to attack or defend an IQP or how to attack or defend a castled position with a fianchetto.
With constant study, you'll eventually reach a point where you are able to associate plans to specific structures instantly and know which moves do not fit in the overall scheme.
fire up your mojo, get in the zone, then play!
Dec 7, 2021
0
#10
@mario_dominiguez
tactics ratings are always going to be much higher than your live chess ratings.
Mario_Dominguez wrote:
Hi, how's everyone?
I'm usually wondering if its normal to have a big difference between blitz and normal ratings.
The thing is I think I'm almost decent at chess when I have time to think about variations, I'm 1800 at chesstempo (I know, inflated because I take from 5 to 10 minutes each problem, but still) and 1500 at tactics here because you only have 1 minute or so to decide the combination and still get points. Always calculate puzzles from beggining before making the first move and have a very high % success. I'm a bit low on standard because I played 15-0 games I knew I shouldn't have.
Now, when the time control is 10 min no increment or less, I automatically become horrible, I cannot see 1 - 2 move tactics that I'd never miss in a longer game or the puzzles I practice all the time. I hung pieces, I hung pawns; every move I make feels unsound because I know it's not the best move, I cannot come up with good moves.
I like to play very sound and correct moves and wait for opportunity to win the game with tactics; but I just cannot do that in blitz, both because I cannot execute the tactics (even in positions I KNOW if I had a few minutes to think about it, I'd win material, I end up messing it up and blowing opportunities) and cannot play sound moves. I put my games in computer later and I just facepalm at myself "how retarded can you be not to see THIS obvious stuff"? Sadly, those obvious moves are not so obvious to me :( Contrasting with this, sometimes I play perfectly and I find myself surprised that I played for a long string of moves the reccomendation of the computer and the thought that the computer wanted to do the same thing that I did in certain games, is awesome. But then the clock goes down to 2 minutes, I drop all my pawns, my pieces, I walk into the most basic cheapos.
I think that's about it, the main question I derive from this being: how can I improve in playing fast and good chess? Because as you can see, puzzles and tactics aren't helping me.
Thanks a lot for reading!!
We usually scan for good moves even though it might not be the best. You can't use the same amount of time to calculate deeply, because you are playing against your opponent and against time. Chances are, many good moves, even in a fast control, are usually the best moves for the position.
Imagine you are given a project to be completed in a month's time. You started crafting out a plan for the project to be completed by the last day. Suddenly, your boss tells you to complete it in two weeks time due to operational constraints or change in the client's expectations. You can't possibly stick to the same plan fully to the last detail. Some details must be tweaked.
Having said that, this was six years ago and now I see that your fast chess have picked up speed. You are now a Super Mario in fast chess.
Hi, how's everyone?
I'm usually wondering if its normal to have a big difference between blitz and normal ratings.
The thing is I think I'm almost decent at chess when I have time to think about variations, I'm 1800 at chesstempo (I know, inflated because I take from 5 to 10 minutes each problem, but still) and 1500 at tactics here because you only have 1 minute or so to decide the combination and still get points. Always calculate puzzles from beggining before making the first move and have a very high % success. I'm a bit low on standard because I played 15-0 games I knew I shouldn't have.
Now, when the time control is 10 min no increment or less, I automatically become horrible, I cannot see 1 - 2 move tactics that I'd never miss in a longer game or the puzzles I practice all the time. I hung pieces, I hung pawns; every move I make feels unsound because I know it's not the best move, I cannot come up with good moves.
I like to play very sound and correct moves and wait for opportunity to win the game with tactics; but I just cannot do that in blitz, both because I cannot execute the tactics (even in positions I KNOW if I had a few minutes to think about it, I'd win material, I end up messing it up and blowing opportunities) and cannot play sound moves. I put my games in computer later and I just facepalm at myself "how retarded can you be not to see THIS obvious stuff"? Sadly, those obvious moves are not so obvious to me :( Contrasting with this, sometimes I play perfectly and I find myself surprised that I played for a long string of moves the reccomendation of the computer and the thought that the computer wanted to do the same thing that I did in certain games, is awesome. But then the clock goes down to 2 minutes, I drop all my pawns, my pieces, I walk into the most basic cheapos.
I think that's about it, the main question I derive from this being: how can I improve in playing fast and good chess? Because as you can see, puzzles and tactics aren't helping me.
Thanks a lot for reading!!