Classification of Time Controls. • page 1/1 • Lichess Feedback • lichess.org

Hi There,

Please note this isn't a complaint or a moan, it's simply a query/observation.

I notice on Lichess there are 3 categories of Chess - Bullet, Blitz and Classical.

FIDE has 3 categories as well.

Blitz
A ‘blitz’ game’ is one where all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of 10 minutes or less for each player; or the allotted time plus 60 times any increment is 10 minutes or less.

Rapid
A ‘Rapid chess’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player.

In the World Blitz Championship, each player will have 3 minutes + 2 seconds additional time per move, starting from move 1.

In the World Rapid Championship, each player will have 15 minutes + 10 seconds additional time per move, starting from move 1.

Standard
A game where each player’s thinking time is at least 60 minutes. This is the official world championship and most other major over the board events.

If I go by those FIDE categories above, almost everything on Lichess is Blitz with the exception of the extremely rare upper end of the Classical time controls 45'+45" qualifies as Standard. There are games right now in Classical that are 10'+0" and 5'+5".

The only thing I have against Blitz (nothing against it really) is that I'm not good enough to think accurately at that speed, and, for the most part, I don't want to. I enjoy playing slower chess as I find it really relaxing and easier to learn from. Altogether more enjoyable.

I'm perfectly content playing the Stockfish AI. It's always available and never gets frustrated, bored or impatient and it makes its moves instantly, which is great from my perspective.

But what if one day in the future I want to play against a human? How come you haven't gone with Blitz, Rapid and Standard? People like me would then at least know where to look to find a game or host a game of longer time controls of at least 45'+45".

I understand that longer time controls online lead to idiots wanting to use engines in the background and cheat. Is that the only reason there aren't more slow games on Lichess? Perhaps I'm missing something.

Hi There, Please note this isn't a complaint or a moan, it's simply a query/observation. I notice on Lichess there are 3 categories of Chess - Bullet, Blitz and Classical. FIDE has 3 categories as well. Blitz A ‘blitz’ game’ is one where all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of 10 minutes or less for each player; or the allotted time plus 60 times any increment is 10 minutes or less. Rapid A ‘Rapid chess’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player. In the World Blitz Championship, each player will have 3 minutes + 2 seconds additional time per move, starting from move 1. In the World Rapid Championship, each player will have 15 minutes + 10 seconds additional time per move, starting from move 1. Standard A game where each player’s thinking time is at least 60 minutes. This is the official world championship and most other major over the board events. ---- If I go by those FIDE categories above, almost everything on Lichess is Blitz with the exception of the extremely rare upper end of the Classical time controls 45'+45" qualifies as Standard. There are games right now in Classical that are 10'+0" and 5'+5". The only thing I have against Blitz (nothing against it really) is that I'm not good enough to think accurately at that speed, and, for the most part, I don't want to. I enjoy playing slower chess as I find it really relaxing and easier to learn from. Altogether more enjoyable. I'm perfectly content playing the Stockfish AI. It's always available and never gets frustrated, bored or impatient and it makes its moves instantly, which is great from my perspective. But what if one day in the future I want to play against a human? How come you haven't gone with Blitz, Rapid and Standard? People like me would then at least know where to look to find a game or host a game of longer time controls of at least 45'+45". I understand that longer time controls online lead to idiots wanting to use engines in the background and cheat. Is that the only reason there aren't more slow games on Lichess? Perhaps I'm missing something.

Luciano_the_best

There aren't more slow games because many prefer playing fast games like bullet or blitz, and less people prefer playing short games. You can put on the lobby a 180+180 game but it is very unlikely that someone will accept the challenge because the game would last too long and it may be boring as well for some people.

TatsumakiRonyk

@Gary_Internet
https://lichess.org/team/lichess4545-league is one of the "teams" on Lichess, which internally hosts 45+45 games (and is actually very organized about it). We're just finishing up one of our seasons right now, and the league generally requires that you've played at least 20 "Classical" games on Lichess (I think it's 10+0 or longer time controls) before being accepted. That being said, it sounds like something you might be interested in.

@Gary_Internet https://lichess.org/team/lichess4545-league is one of the "teams" on Lichess, which internally hosts 45+45 games (and is actually very organized about it). We're just finishing up one of our seasons right now, and the league generally requires that you've played at least 20 "Classical" games on Lichess (I think it's 10+0 or longer time controls) before being accepted. That being said, it sounds like something you might be interested in.

breakreign

To me; anything over 5 Minutes is WAY too long.

5 minutes each side; total of 10 minutes game time.
BUT on lichess you freeze the clock if you premove.

Games that are 2 minute per side can last 10 minutes; hell they could last indefinitely depending on each players speed.

A lot of people also see longer times as 'a window' for people to go place the moves in a engine and see what the next best move will be. Not sure if I agree; but its a fact that a lot of people feel this way.

To me; anything over 5 Minutes is WAY too long. 5 minutes each side; total of 10 minutes game time. BUT on lichess you freeze the clock if you premove. Games that are 2 minute per side can last 10 minutes; hell they could last indefinitely depending on each players speed. A lot of people also see longer times as 'a window' for people to go place the moves in a engine and see what the next best move will be. Not sure if I agree; but its a fact that a lot of people feel this way.

RMario

However in the case of correspondence games this would be no problem because one move has several day thinking time.
Other alternative solution can be some sort of Ladder system.

I think the reason is that the current arena is not capable for long time control tournaments, at least not in a way as a multiple round tournament such as round robin would be. In such tournaments a player typically plays only one longer game a day, thus the event can lasts several days or even weeks long which requires some implementation of scheduling the opposing players. However in the case of correspondence games this would be no problem because one move has several day thinking time. Other alternative solution can be some sort of Ladder system.

Gary_Internet

@TatsumakiRonyk

I will definitely join that 45+45 "team". It looks like it would be the best thing for me to do. I have a bit of work to do to improve myself to a reasonable standard first, but I will join in the next 6 months. Thank you very much for letting me know.

@TatsumakiRonyk I will definitely join that 45+45 "team". It looks like it would be the best thing for me to do. I have a bit of work to do to improve myself to a reasonable standard first, but I will join in the next 6 months. Thank you very much for letting me know.