Fast chess

Fast chess, also known as blitzkrieg, blitz chess, fastblitz chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of chess game in which each side is given less time to make their moves than under the normal tournament time controls of 60-150 minutes (1-2½ hours) per player. The different names distinguish the maximum duration of a game. Commonly used time controls are:

• Bullet: 1 minute per side
• Fastblitz: 3 minutes per side
• Blitz: 5 minutes per side, sometimes with a small time increment per move.
• Rapid: 15-60 minutes per side (usually 25 minutes), sometimes with a small time increment per move.
• Armageddon: a single game guaranteed to produce a result, because black has draw odds (that is, for black, a draw is as good as a win). To compensate, white has more time on the clock.

In some chess tournaments, the final standings of the contestants may be resolved by a series of games with ever shortening control times as tie breaks. In this case, two games may be played with each time control, as playing with black or white pieces is not equally liked among players. To prevent the tie break going on forever, an Armageddon game may be played as a last resort. For instance FIDE World Chess Championship events use the following tie breaks:^[1]

• 4 Rapid games (25 minutes plus ten second increment per move) (Only 2 games at the 2007 World Cup).
• If still tied, 2 Blitz games (5 minutes plus ten second increment per move).
• If still tied, one Armageddon game: white has 6 minutes but needs to win, black has 5 minutes but only needs to draw.

The short time controls in fast chess reduce the amount of time available to consider each move, and may result in a frantic game, especially as time runs out. A player whose time runs out automatically loses, unless the opposing player has insufficient material to mate, in which case the game is a draw. "Losing on time" is possible at even the longer, traditional time controls, but is more common in blitz and rapid versions.

A common rule used in fast chess tournaments is that if a player makes an illegal move, the player's opponent may point it out and claim a win. For example, if a player leaves his or her king in check, the other player may claim the win. This rule can be left out for a friendly game or left in for what some consider to be a more exciting and fun game.

The terms blitz or blitzkrieg in chess sometimes means a quick attack on the f7 or f2 square early in the game, putting the king in check.^[2] This term is not limited to Fast chess.

Chess boxing uses a fast version for the chess component of this sport.

• Example of Fast Chess by Two Grand Masters