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Practical Chess Psychology · Kapilash Chess Academy

Surviving Time Trouble

When the clock is ticking

In this lesson you will learn

  • Safe moves in time trouble
  • Keeping pieces protected
  • What to do when your opponent is short of time

Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.

4.1 Rules for time trouble

  1. Keep it simple. Avoid complications you cannot calculate. Exchange pieces if it is safe.
  2. Keep every piece protected. Loose pieces are the first to fall in a hurry.
  3. Check the checks. The only thing you must always see is your opponent’s checks and captures.
  4. Use the increment. With an increment, never let your clock go below the increment plus a few seconds.
  5. Do not look at the clock after every move. Look at the board.

4.2 When your opponent is in time trouble

Do not start playing fast yourself. Keep using your own time, keep the position solid and give your opponent problems to solve. Many players lose a winning game because they hurry together with their opponent.

Diagram 4.1White to move

Diagram 4.1 · One minute on the clock

You are short of time and your opponent has just made a threat. In time trouble you must still see checks, captures and threats.

Find the only safe move.

Remember

  1. Simple, safe moves.
  2. No loose pieces.
  3. Always see checks and captures.
  4. Do not hurry when your opponent is short of time.

Exercises · Lesson 4

You have little time. Find the safe, simple move.

Solve these 7 exercises on the boardCreate a free account to check your moves, open hints and solutions, and save your progress.
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Safe moves under pressure

Exercise 4.1Find the move
White to move

White to move. You have one minute left. Find the safe move that meets your opponent’s threat.

Exercise 4.2Find the move
White to move

White to move. You have one minute left. Find the safe move that meets your opponent’s threat.

Exercise 4.3Find the move
Black to move

Black to move. You have one minute left. Find the safe move that meets your opponent’s threat.

Exercise 4.4Find the move
White to move

White to move. You have one minute left. Find the safe move that meets your opponent’s threat.

Questions

Exercise 4.5Question
White to move

You have 2 minutes left and the position is complicated. Which kind of move is best?

Exercise 4.6Question
White to move

Your opponent has 1 minute, you have 25. What should you do?

Exercise 4.7Question
White to move

In time trouble, what must you always look at before moving?