A Simple Guide to Time Management

Track yourself

Do you want to improve your time management but don’t know where to start? That’s alright — starting is always the hardest part!
Here’s a simple trick you can do:
If you’re playing a classical or long rapid game (around 30–45 minutes), write down your moves and the time remaining on your clock after each move. This way, when you review the game later, you can see which parts took you the most time, why, and improve on them.
If you’re playing a shorter rapid (10–25 minutes) or blitz game, you can’t afford to write things down. Instead, just quickly glance at your clock after each move and mentally note how long you spent. Don’t worry about being exact — an approximate idea is perfectly fine.
Over time, this habit will help you notice patterns. Maybe you spend too long in the opening, or you hesitate in tactical positions. Once you know where your time goes, you’ll be ready to fix it.

The Rules

Fixing your time management takes, well... time. But don’t worry — I have a few helpful tips (or “rules,” as I like to call them) that will help you get better at using your clock efficiently.

Rule #1: Think on Your Opponent’s Time

A common mistake many players make is to relax completely after making a move. They sit back, wait, and only start thinking once their opponent moves. That’s not the best strategy.
Like the saying goes, sharing is caring. Time is valuable, but it’s also generous — it gives you a chance to share it with your opponent. So when it’s your opponent’s turn, use that time wisely. Think about your plan, your ideas, and how the position might evolve.
Some players say you should focus entirely on what your opponent might do. That’s partially true, but remember — in chess, there are millions of possible moves. Instead of trying to predict every one of them, start by forming your own plan first.
Then, when your opponent finally moves, do the following: if their move doesn’t affect your plan, go ahead and play it confidently. If it does affect your plan, adjust accordingly — but at least you’ll already have a framework in mind.
Thinking during your opponent’s time helps you stay one step ahead and saves precious seconds for the critical moments later in the game.

Rule #2: Set time goals

Before starting a game, it’s a good idea to set time goals. For example, you might decide to spend around 25% of your time on the opening, 40% on the middlegame, and 35% on the endgame.
Of course, these goals are difficult to follow exactly, but they help you keep a balanced pace throughout the game — and prevent situations like having only two minutes left in a ten-minute game while you’re still in the opening!
If dividing your time into percentages feels complicated, you can set simpler goals instead. For instance, try to keep your time within two minutes of your opponent’s. This kind of rule forces you to stay aware of the clock — something many players completely forget to do once they get lost in calculation.
If you’re up on time, don’t play super fast just to keep the time advantage. You don’t want to make mistakes or blunders. That’s why if you’re ahead on time, use it wisely. If the position requires thinking, take your time — if not, focus on the next rule I’ll tell you.
By setting clear time goals, you train yourself to manage your thinking time consciously, rather than letting the clock control you.

Rule #3: Forcing and Improving Moves are Key in Time Management

“Well Ayanokoji, I followed your tips but I’m still in time pressure. What should I do? My clock is ticking?!” you say.
Worry not, my friend — I shall tell you the key to time trouble: find forcing moves and improving moves.
If the position is simple, don’t overthink it. Play forcing moves like checks, or improving moves like putting your knight on a better square. Even if the position is complex and you’re low on time, spend a couple of seconds looking for forcing or improving moves. These moves are usually solid and won’t make you blunder.
Of course, if your opponent is threatening something, you should defend — but that shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds to find. Time is a very valuable part of the game. You could be up two rooks or even a queen, but if your clock flags, you still lose.
That’s why, when you’re in time trouble, it’s not about finding the best move — it’s about finding moves that keep your position stable.Don't waste your time on moves that require way too much calculation, just keep it simple and easy.

Those are my 3 rules and tips for time management during the game. "But Ayanokoji, I want to improve my time management daily, is there a way?," you ask. Yes, there is a way!

Playing Speed Chess

Many coaches say playing blitz and bullet aren't good for you. They are partially correct, but blitz and even bullet are some wonderful time formats that will help you improve your time management. They help you find forcing and improving moves fast, you get to practise setting time goals and you learn to think on your opponents time. That's why I believe if you are struggling with time management play atleast 3 blitz games and 3 bullet games daily. You can also play puzzle racer and puzzle storm, but they aren't as effective.

Conclusion

That’s my simple guide to time management! If you liked my guide, I’ve also published another one about finding the best move in any position — make sure to check it out!
Also, don’t forget to look at my Road to 2000 blogs, where I analyze my own games, explain openings, middlegame ideas, and plans.
If you enjoy my blogs, join my team The Classroom of the Elite. By joining, you support and motivate me to keep writing more guides/blogs and sharing my chess journey.

Quick Recap

1. Write down the time you have after each move. (Can be done both mentally or physically.)
2. Think about your plan during your opponents time as well.
3. Set time limits.
4. If you are in time trouble, focus on finding improving and forcing moves.
5. Play blitz and bullet to improve time management.