How to Get Better at Blitz Chess ?

How to Get Better at Blitz Chess ?

Today, I decided to write this article after playing 3 blitz games on Lichess. I realized that I was making a lot more mistakes than usual. It surprised me because I thought I knew how to play blitz well. But then I understood why: it was because I was playing in the morning, and I’m just not very sharp early in the day. This made me think more about what it takes to play good blitz chess, even when we’re not at our best. That’s why I’m writing this — to share what I’ve learned and help you improve too.

Why Tactics Matter in Blitz

Blitz is a fast version of chess, where every second counts. In blitz, there isn’t time to think deeply about every move. So, you need to see good moves and threats instantly. The best way to train your brain to do this is by focusing on tactics. Tactics help you spot patterns like forks, pins, and skewers very quickly. When you can recognize these patterns fast, you can make good decisions without much thought.
Imagine playing a blitz game where your opponent makes a surprising move. If you only have a few seconds, you need to decide quickly if it’s dangerous or if you can take advantage of it. Strong tactical skills will help you see the right move immediately, even when your time is running out.

What Are Forced Moves?

A forced move is a move that your opponent must respond to right away — or else they will lose a piece or get into big trouble. Finding these moves fast is super important in blitz. If you can see them quickly, you can create big problems for your opponent before they realize it.
To get better at spotting forced moves, try:

1. Solving puzzles with a timer: Limit yourself to 30 seconds per puzzle to train your brain to think quickly.
2. Learning common patterns: Study simple tactics like forks, pins, and discovered attacks, so you can spot them easily.
3. Practicing on platforms like Chess.com or Lichess, where you can do fast-paced tactics training.

Improve your openings :
https://lorischesstrainer.systeme.io/from-beginner-to-master

How to Handle Pressure in Blitz

Blitz is not just about moving fast. It’s about keeping your cool when time is running out and the position on the board is crazy. In blitz games, you often end up in wild positions where it’s easy to panic and make a mistake. Here’s how to deal with it:

1. Stay calm when the board is messy: If you get nervous, you’ll play badly. Train yourself to stay focused, even if the board looks chaotic.
2. Embrace the mess: Don’t avoid complicated positions. Learn to handle them by playing lots of blitz games and getting used to them.
3. Spot the key moments: Every game has one or two very important points. Learn to recognize when the game is at a turning point so you can think a little longer in those spots.

Practice Playing Fast

A good way to get better at blitz is to practice playing the middle game with very little time. Start a game against a computer or a friend, but only give yourself 30 seconds or 1 minute on the clock. This will force you to think quickly and focus on the main ideas instead of small details. This kind of training will make it easier for you to handle time pressure in real blitz games.

Final Thoughts: The Key to Winning in Blitz

The main lesson I learned today is that, in blitz, tactics are everything. If you want to get better, practice recognizing tactical patterns so you can play with speed and confidence. Blitz is not just about being fast. It’s about seeing the board clearly and making the right moves quickly, even when you’re not feeling sharp.
So, improve your tactical skills, practice thinking fast, and you’ll start winning more blitz games — even when the clock is ticking down to the final seconds!

Looking for good chess improvement ?

Go check out my social medias and/or contact me for chess coaching.
Contact :
YouTube : Chess - FM Loris - YouTube
Email : lorischesstrainer@gmail.com
Instagram : @chessloris