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Yeah I’d like to think it’s fairly common. 1500 rapid and 700 bullet for me. I end up focusing more on time than anything. I really don’t even focus on the position all that much I’m just always thinking “this doesn’t lose immediate, play fast” I assume I’ll eventually get better playing instinctually but just trying to not blunder or lose on time is my focus now.
Lol I do the same and then I get into a position with no good moves and I get stuck thinking. Then I’m even thinking about me thinking while being aware of the ticking clock which makes me think I should think faster and when I realise I’m not really thinking about chess anymore, it’s too late
Very relatable, something that I’ve done which seems to have helped me at least a little is playing less sharp openings. Ever since I started playing chess I was a Sicilian and a kings Indian player, but in an attempt to get better at faster time controls I’ve learned more slow pace “solid” openings like the caro and QGD. That way I can just shuffle my pieces around and not be too worried about some tactic lol.
For me it's 2000 rapid, 1800 blitz, 1600 bullet.
I think at our level 400 difference is more common than 200 or 700, but it's all normal.
It's another type of game.
I've got a friend who was in a chess club when he was a kid and he's my equal in long time controls but I'm way better in short time controls.
To improve, maybe lower the time gradually.
Play more blitz, or 2+1 bullet.
In bullet you really need to know your opening by heart, so make sure you do.
Don't go for complex tactics, simply avoid blunders.
For sure! I think puzzles help for any time control. Maybe try to combine difficult puzzles (at your puzzle rating) with easy but fast puzzles (solving as many as possible in 3 or 5 min)
The player pool is also stronger in shorter time controls.
You see GMs and other strong players mostly play 3|0 and 1|0.
Also when you switch from longer time controls to shorter, there is definitely a period of adaptation until you get up to speed again.
I also struggle in bullet vs lower ranked players
Intermediate players play good lines that I understand. I can easily beat players in the 800-1100 range, say 80-90% of the time.
But when I play vs 400-600 players, they play crazy lines. Even if their moves are not good, sometimes I end up blundering or flagging and my win rate in that range is closer to 50-50.
Hey, OP! Did your game end in a stalemate? Did you encounter a weird pawn move? Are you trying to move a piece and it's not going? We have just the resource for you! The [Chess Beginners Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/chessbeginners/wiki/index/) is the perfect place to check out answers to these questions and more! The moderator team of r/chessbeginners wishes to remind everyone of the community rules. **Posting spam, being a troll, and posting memes are not allowed.** We encourage everyone to report these kinds of posts so they can be dealt with. Thank you! Let's do our utmost to be kind in our replies and comments. Some people here just want to learn chess and have virtually no idea about certain chess concepts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chessbeginners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yeah I’d like to think it’s fairly common. 1500 rapid and 700 bullet for me. I end up focusing more on time than anything. I really don’t even focus on the position all that much I’m just always thinking “this doesn’t lose immediate, play fast” I assume I’ll eventually get better playing instinctually but just trying to not blunder or lose on time is my focus now.
Lol I do the same and then I get into a position with no good moves and I get stuck thinking. Then I’m even thinking about me thinking while being aware of the ticking clock which makes me think I should think faster and when I realise I’m not really thinking about chess anymore, it’s too late
Very relatable, something that I’ve done which seems to have helped me at least a little is playing less sharp openings. Ever since I started playing chess I was a Sicilian and a kings Indian player, but in an attempt to get better at faster time controls I’ve learned more slow pace “solid” openings like the caro and QGD. That way I can just shuffle my pieces around and not be too worried about some tactic lol.
Hmm yeah I should probably do the same. Thanks!
For me it's 2000 rapid, 1800 blitz, 1600 bullet. I think at our level 400 difference is more common than 200 or 700, but it's all normal. It's another type of game. I've got a friend who was in a chess club when he was a kid and he's my equal in long time controls but I'm way better in short time controls. To improve, maybe lower the time gradually. Play more blitz, or 2+1 bullet. In bullet you really need to know your opening by heart, so make sure you do. Don't go for complex tactics, simply avoid blunders.
Got it. Thanks I will try. Could puzzles help as well?
For sure! I think puzzles help for any time control. Maybe try to combine difficult puzzles (at your puzzle rating) with easy but fast puzzles (solving as many as possible in 3 or 5 min)
Ok thanks!
The player pool is also stronger in shorter time controls. You see GMs and other strong players mostly play 3|0 and 1|0. Also when you switch from longer time controls to shorter, there is definitely a period of adaptation until you get up to speed again.
Yeah that’s actually true
I also struggle in bullet vs lower ranked players Intermediate players play good lines that I understand. I can easily beat players in the 800-1100 range, say 80-90% of the time. But when I play vs 400-600 players, they play crazy lines. Even if their moves are not good, sometimes I end up blundering or flagging and my win rate in that range is closer to 50-50.