Time Controls

Before I start this topic I have to give a disclaimer. I am not a professional coach. The insights are based on personal experiences as well as learning from other experienced players.

At our chess practice, there is always a debate about which one is better: Lichess or Chess.com. The second debatable issue is “Which time control is better? ” In response to the first question, I am not going to get into it, although I prefer Lichess. I will address the second question in the remainder of this article.

As part of my learning journey, I have seen rapid as the best time control if I want to play good accurate chess while not spending much time on 1 game. Rapid has the advantages of both Blitz and Classical Chess. The games are not too long and at the same time, you have enough time to evaluate at least 3 candidate moves before choosing the best one. If you have played a familiar opening (the one you understand its theory) or if you are just good at openings generally, you will have enough time for the middle game and the endgame.

Blitz is perfect for practising new opening lines. By trying to play a new opening in fast time control, you test yourself whether the lines have stuck in your head or you still need to watch that YouTube tutorial or read that book again. Blitz games also help you to be quick at recognising some tactical pattern ideas. If you master how to spot a mate in 4 in a Blitz time control, imagine how strong will be your calculation skills in a longer time control. A piece of advice: playing too many Blitz games without analyzing will not make you better. You are highly likely to repeat the same old mistakes you always made.

If time was an unlimited resource, I would play lots of classical games online. Classic time controls enable you to take as much time as possible for a position. It is possible to evaluate the moves of as many candidates as you wish. I recommend classical games when you want to grow your chess. Playing classical games with higher-rated opponents will remove you from your comfort zone and this forces your mind to unleash itself the best it can. Chances of making blunders and chances of losing on time in this control are very low. I understand the benefits of classical games but I rarely play them because of time constraints.

If your agenda is to improve your chess, then Bullet is off the discussion table. Bullet is only good for giving yourself some adrenaline rush. If you are just playing to pass the time for fun, then it's fine.

Is there a best time control? All of them are good, depending on your needs and time constraints.

That was it for this week. I will attend to questions in the discussion forum below. So (Not Wesley), feel free to ask anything. Until next Monday, bye!!!