Chess lessons › Good chess habits
Playing fast games
In blitz and bullet play simple, safe moves, use the increment, and know the basic mates by hand.
The idea
Play simple, safe moves, look at checks first, and use the increment.
- In a fast game, look at checks first.
- Nc7+ checks the king and attacks the rook on a8.
- Simple, safe moves and the increment save your clock.
In a game: Play safe, simple moves, and premove only when the move is right whatever comes.
How the lesson begins
In blitz and bullet, games of a few minutes or less, the clock decides many games. Play simple, safe moves, keep your pieces protected, and look at checks and captures for both sides, just more quickly.
In a game with increment, a few seconds are added to your clock after each move. Quick, simple moves then win time back for the moments that need thought.
Find the move
A fast game, with the queens already traded. Checks first. White to move.
A hint
Which knight jump gives check, and what else does it hit?
Show the answer
9. Nc7+
Nc7+ checks the king and attacks the rook on a8 and the bishop on e6 at the same time. Black must answer the check, and the rook falls next move. In a fast game, checks are the first thing to look at.
In numbers
Positions to practise
24 positions in the study, every result proved by the tablebase: 24 are wins for the side to move, with best play on both sides.
Games lost on time
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | 21% |
| 800 to 1199 | 19% |
| 1200 to 1599 | 19% |
| 1600 to 1999 | 22% |
| 2000 and up | 23% |