The days when two people sat on opposite sides of a chess board, growing glassy eyed with boredom while they waited for the other person to decide on a move are quickly moving behind us. In a world where speed is crucial, speed chess is growing in popularity. Players in a regular chess match are free to ponder on their chess maneuvers for lengthy duration! In contrast, a time limit is observed in speed chess so that persons who fail to act within the allotted time get booted from the game. For obvious reasons, speed chess isn’t recommended for budding chess players. Only those players who are thoroughly familiar with chess rules and strategy can excel in the game.

Nuts and Bolts of the Game

The great thing about speed chess is that you are able to play a lively game of chess even when time is limited, making speed chess perfect for lunch breaks. The things you need aren’t hard to secure: a clock and a chess set.

Rules for Speed Chess

Speed chess is player-friendly – it won’t strain your memory as you need not memorize a set of new rules to play the game. You get to observe the same standards that apply to international chess. Of course, what makes it unique is that you’ll be pressed for time. You can quickly lose the entire match when you don’t know how to keep the time, but your opponent needs to make the call. If your opponent doesn’t declare himself the winner despite the over time, then the game is still on!

Speed Matters

You and your opponent can decide on a timeframe, but in many speed chess tournaments, 5 minutes a move is the longest. The swiftness of the game will heighten the suspense of both players and spectators.

People Good Enough for Speed Chess

It’s good not to assume that you’re good enough for speed chess – especially when you’ve just familiarized yourself with the basics. Five minutes may not be enough for the average player. You can only tell that you’re all set when you’ve accumulated enough gaming experience.

Before accepting any invitation to join speed chess, be cautioned that opponents are like professional athletes, determined to emerge the victor. All speed chess players are determined to rehearse themselves over and over, just to get better at the game. Their quick thinking lets them to stay within the time limits of the match.

If you think you’re prepared, go see for yourself by playing speed chess online.