In Chess, what informal time controls should I play?

Question

I feel most comfortable playing games with 20+ minutes on each side. In tournaments sometimes even 2 hours doesn't feel like enough LOL. I've noticed that at informal gatherings people are playing 5 to 10 minutes on each side. Is it worth it to learn how to play 5 minute chess? Should I just find people willing to play longer games?

Answer 1

I think you should play what you like. It's not a moral issue.



5 minute chess (Blitz) always strikes me as a waste, because every normal player is going to make tactical blunders, and it's just a question of who makes the worst one. Sure the GM's can do it and play well, but normal people need time to think things through.



On the other hand, at today's pace of living, people don't necessarily have 2 or 3 hours for a game. I tend to think 30-30 [30 moves in 30 minutes for each side] is a decent compromise for casual play. Your mileage may vary.



Your local chess club will probably have people interested in longer games, ICC has longer games, and if you really want to take your time try gameknot where people play what is essentially postal chess over the internet -- days per move instead of minutes.



http://gameknot.com/

http://www.chessclub.com/

Answer 2

People who play 5 or 10 minute chess,

are people who have played for ten years,

and like playing it, because of the unexpected,

and 'exciting' thrill the game provides...

It is a relaxation from tournament chess,

typically after a post game analysis.



Of course the real chess is the games that go for 4 hours plus.

Where deeply thought out plans can be made manifest.



Some GM made the comment that Blitz / lightening chess

was bad for tournament chess.

But I prefer it in a social 'fun' setting.

Answer 3

I would say definitely not more than 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move (90:30) because I played in a tournament with that time control and played a 3 hour game in one round. I was EXHAUSTED!!! (I won that game against a very hard player). For informal games I would say 30 minutes for a medium game, 40 minutes plus 20 seconds per move for a long game (40:20), and for a short game 5 minutes (lightning time limit, people say it's relaxing but I don't believe that, it's NONSENSE). Sometimes national tournaments in certain countries (like Australia) have divisions (Major, Minor, Classic and Lightning) so if you compete in very strong tournaments and want extra titles, lightning is worth learning then. If you think it is too short (like I do), then just forget about lightning. I used to think 40:20 was really long until I played that 90:30 game and experienced what is really "long". =)

Answer 4

The slower the time control the better if you want to improve your chess Blitz is good for improving your tactics and board vision but playing too much can have harmful side affects on your game that's why it's recommended to play it in moderation!



If you like taking your time and playing at your own pace there is also correspondence chess:



http://www.e4ec.org

Answer 5

in Chess Clubs they play 5 minutes a lot... upon request some players switch to 10 minutes. I would recommend 15 minutes because that gives you more time to think and thus prepares you a little better for future tournaments.

Answer 6

Depend on your desires, I personally enjoy 1 min games for fun.If you want to learn something from each game you should not play shorter time controls.

Answer 7

if your basic time control is 20 minutes ? ...you need to make it 19-minutes



when you get used to 19-minutes ?...you need to make it 18-minutes



when you get used to 18-minutes ?...you need to make it 17 minutes



...and get a chronos (a digital chess clock)

Answer 8

Chess is a joke. Try a real game like Monkey Queen...



http://www.marksteeregames.com/Monkey_Queen_rules.html



Mark



Mark Steere Games http://www.marksteeregames.com