7 Bullet Chess Tips By Hikaru Nakamura - Chess.com
Posted: Monday, August 7, 2017 by Tyler Durden in Labels: chess , games
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7 Bullet Chess Tips By Hikaru Nakamura - Chess.com
Editor’s note: Hikaru Nakamura is widely considered the best speed chess player in history. A vote by titled players confirmed this last year.
Nakamura will face World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the three-hour GM Blitz Battle Championship on Oct. 27. The match will feature both blitz and bullet chess .
Will these tips help Nakamura beat Carlsen later this month? Let us know what you think in the comments.
1. Never Resign.
Another way of putting it: have no shame. Unlike in normal chess, anything can happen, even if there’s a mate in two or one, of if you’re down a queen. Never resign.
LevonAronian (2921) vs. Grischuk (2674)
Live Chess | Chess.com | 6 Apr 2016 | ECO: A00 | 1-0
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d5 Nb8 8. h3 c6 9. c4 a510. Nc3 Na6 11. Bg5 h6 12. Be3 Bd7 13. Qd2g5 14. Nd4 Nc5 15. Bc2 a4 16. f4 Nh717. Kh1 Qa5 18. a3 Qa6 19. fxg5 hxg520. Qe2 e6 21. Nf3 g4 22. hxg4 Rae8 23. Bxc5dxc5 24. d6 e5 25. Nh4 Qa5 26. Nf5 Qd827. g3 Qg5 28. Kg2 Re6 29. Rh1 Rfe8 30. Rh4Rg6 31. Ne7+ Rxe7 32. dxe7 Qxe7 33. Rd1Ng5 34. Nxa4 Ne6 35. Nb6 Qxh4 36. gxh4Nf4+ 37. Kf2 Nxe2 38. Rxd7 Nd4 39. Bd1Rf6+ 40. Ke1 Rf4 41. Rxb7 Rxe4+ 42. Kd2 Rf443. Nd7 e4 44. Nxc5 Rf1 45. Nxe4 Ne6 46. g5Be5 47. Nf6+ Kg7 48. Bh5 Nd8 49. Rd7 Rf2+50. Ke3 Rxb2 51. Rxd8 Rh2
Grischuk resigns when Aronian has 0.3 seconds left on his clock.
2. Never Assume When Premoving.
Don't premove in a situation where if what you expect to happen doesn’t necessarily have to happen — and your move is still legal.
As Black, don’t premove Nxe4 assuming White will capture with the knight. White could capture with the pawn.
It’s OK to premove captures where the premove would only be legal if the anticipated move happens — but if there’s any doubt, don’t premove.
3. Don’t Focus On Time.
Keep the clock in your peripheral vision, but don’t focus on it unless the game is definitely headed for a time scramble.
4. Choose Your Thinking Time Wisely.
If you want to think for more than one second, do a quick check of time. If you have less than 30 seconds, NEVER think more than five seconds, unless it’s trying to find a clear mate.
5. Almost Any Opening Works.
As long as you can blitz out 10-15 moves, you can play any opening — which is specifically why theory is bad. In an open Sicilian (for example) you could get tricked on move 10 and also can't premove — you'd have to use precious extra seconds.
Hikaru (3100) vs. pete (1827)
Live Chess | Chess.com | 22 Nov 2015 | ECO: A00 | 1-0
1. b3 c6 2. Bb2 d5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 g6 5. d4Bg7 6. c4 O-O 7. Nc3 Bg4 8. Be2 Nbd7 9. O-ORe8 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 e5 12. cxd5 cxd513. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 exd4 15. Bxd4 Qa516. Bxb7 Rab8 17. Bc6 Re7 18. Bxg7 Kxg719. Bxd7 Rd8 20. Qd4+ Kg8 21. Rfd1 Qc722. Rac1 Qxd7 23. Qxd7 Rexd7 24. Rxd7Rxd7 25. g3 Kg7 26. Rc4 Rd2 27. Ra4 Rd728. g4 Kf6 29. Ra5 h5 30. gxh5 gxh5 31. Rxh5Rd2 32. Ra5 Rd7 33. h4 Kg6 34. h5+ Kh635. Kg2 f5 36. Rxf5 Rg7+ 37. Kf3 Rc7 38. Ra5Kg7 39. Kf4 Kf6 40. h6 Rh7 41. Ra6+ Ke742. Rxa7+ Kd6 43. Rxh7
6. Simplify When Up Material Or Down On Time.
When you are up a lot of material — or down big on time — it’s important to eliminate your opponent's pieces to simplify the position. If you have two rooks vs bishop and knight, sacrifice one rook for the knight. Simplifying allows fewer chances for checks, counterplay, or complications.
7. Know When To Quit.
if you’re winning a lot of games on the board AND the clock, you know you’re on form. But if your wins are primarily on time in a lost position, then it might be time to quit and preserve your rating before the tide turns against you.
What do you think of Hikaru's bullet chess tips? Let him know in the comments.
Can't get enough Nakamura? Watch Hikaru beat the entire Chess.com staff in bullet below.
