How to Get Better at Rapid Chess ?

When I decided to pursue my Candidate Master (CM) title, I knew I needed a practical, focused approach to improve at rapid chess, which requires quick, accurate calculation, a reliable opening strategy, and solid endgame skills. Here’s the training program I used to get there, which I recommend to anyone aiming to improve their rapid chess play.

Step 1: Strengthen Calculation Skills with Puzzle Streak
The first step in my training was working on Puzzle Streaks. Solving puzzles consistently is excellent practice for building speed and accuracy in calculating moves, which is crucial in rapid games.
You need to be able to spot key moves quickly without missing details. Regularly practicing puzzle streaks improves your ability to find solutions under pressure and double-check your ideas, training yourself to ensure each move is actually playable.
This skill directly translates to better performance in rapid games, where you don’t have time to recalculate everything. Being quick but precise with your calculations gives you an edge.

Step 2: Pick One Opening and Master It
In rapid chess, it’s important to have an opening you can rely on without constantly thinking through complex lines. I chose one main opening that matched my style and worked on understanding it deeply. Focusing on one opening let me become familiar with the positions I’d face, rather than trying to learn too many variations.
The key is to simplify the opening phase so you enter the middlegame with confidence, without using up a lot of mental energy. Knowing your chosen opening inside and out allows you to spend your time on middlegame and endgame ideas, which are critical in rapid games.

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Step 3: Train Endgames with a Coach
Endgames play a huge role in rapid chess, where many games come down to who has better practical endgame skills.
To get good at practical endgames, I worked with a coach.
Even with experience, I found that a coach’s guidance helped me turn theoretical endgame knowledge into practical skills.
Endgame training teaches you how to handle close positions, find winning chances, and save difficult positions.
A coach can help you practice these skills in a way that’s directly useful in real games, especially under time constraints.
Working with a coach helped me spot key endgame ideas and apply them reliably.

Putting It All Together
This three-step plan—building calculation skills with puzzle streaks, mastering one opening, and training endgames with a coach—is the approach I used to achieve my CM title. Each part of the plan prepares you for a key aspect of rapid chess: accurate calculation, a dependable opening, and confident endgame play.
Anyone looking to improve their rapid chess can benefit from these three steps. Focusing on calculation, mastering a single opening, and getting real-world endgame practice builds a strong foundation in all areas, giving you the best chance to improve in rapid games and beyond.

Thank you,
If you have any questions, send me an email or contact me on Lichess :D

Contact :
@chessloris (Instagram)
lorischesstrainer@gmail.com
Chess FM Loris (YouTube)