TIME MANAGEMENT
Playing the objectively best move and playing the most successful move are two different things. This is where the metagame enters the stage, the layer on top of the positional truth. It contains topics such as time management, risk management and diverse psychological aspects. Here is my definition:
- The metagame is the totality of all information and operations relevant to a game, which goes beyond the search for the objectively best move.
- The combination of objective information and metagame information will maximize the expected value.
We start our journey through the metagame with the important topic of time management.
330. Do I often get into time trouble?
Notorious time trouble is a big Elo-leak and has to be avoided, no matter what. By avoiding small mistakes within the first 25 moves, the time trouble acrobats commit big mistakes in the second half of the game. That’s a losing proposition.
331. What are the reasons for frequent time trouble?
Time trouble is a multicausal phenomenon. People who suffer from frequent time trouble might have more than one of the following leaks:
1. Insufficient opening repertoire
If your opening repertoire has many gaps, you will permanently have to reinvent the wheel, which is not really necessary.
2. Lack of game preparation
Even with a good opening repertoire there is the need for a specific game preparation. Variations are sometimes very detailed, so what your opponent plays might still hit a gap. Furthermore, it is important to transfer your recorded knowledge into your short-term memory shortly before the game.
3. Unawareness
Some people might not be aware of how often they get into time trouble. Or they don’t realize how bad of an impact this causes. Some might even be too apathic to take action.
4. Absence from the board
Many players spend way too much time away from the board. Try to be disciplined and work hard during the game. The time for enjoyment comes, after the games has been won. Btw, once you embrace workig hard, duty turns into pleasure.
5. Bad decision-making routines
This topic was covered in the section on calculation.
6. Perfectionism
Well, I think the single most important reason for time trouble is a mental illness called “perfectionism”. It’s an illness I suffer from myself. The perfectionist wants to play the best moves and hates to make mistakes. But of course, that is not possible under the time constraints we are in during a game. Pragmatism and discipline are called for. At least, I have succeeded to tame my perfectionism when it comes to time management in chess. Other areas are still under construction, though.
332. What is the side effect of playing quicker?
If I play quicker, my opponent cannot think so much on my time and therefore spends more time on his clock. In the end, it might be him who is getting into time trouble. Hence, by avoiding time trouble, you can even end up profiting in more than one way.
333. Should I take notes of how much time I consume on which moves?
Some of my students take notes of their time consumption. When analyzing their games together, we can see whether the time was spent wisely or not.
334. What are the critical positions?
You should spend a disproportionally high amount of time in critical positions. As critical we can consider all tactical positions, all positions where we have to make a qualitative decision and all position after a qualitative decision of our opponent. A qualitative decision changes the character of the game. It can be an alteration of the pawn structure or the exchange of a piece. After a qualitative decision of our opponent, we often have to take stock and come up with new plans. The moves between the critical positions are often about executing known plans and need less time to think about.
335. Can I finish him off?
If you are clearly better you might want to take your time to play in the most powerful fashion. The goal is to reach a decisive advantage, after which the position is easy to play, with no requirement for much time on the clock anymore.
336. How much time do I need to have left on move 30?
Of course, time trouble has a subjective element to it. Some players can handle it better than others. A good question is how much time do you need on move 30, in order not to be nervous and make ridiculous mistakes. For some players it may be 10 minutes, for others 20 or more. Find out how much time you need and adjust your time management accordingly.
337. How should I adjust my thinking process when time trouble is on the horizon?
Sometimes the “best” move requires 10 minutes of precise calculation, while a slightly-less-optimal but “good enough” move is instant. In tournament practice, especially with limited time, choosing the practically efficient move can be correct chess even if it’s not engine-perfect.
338. How should I adjust my thinking process in acute time trouble?
In acute time trouble we should try avoid calculations and play tactically robust moves on the grounds of positional pattern recognition. One such candidate move is enough; we don’t have to look for alternatives. The method of exclusion becomes reasonable, where we quickly play the next best move after having discarded others for being obviously bad.
339. Did I correctly fill in my score sheet?
Once I lost a game on time in a winning position, as I forget to fill in move 20 in the bottom left corner of the score sheet. Since that time, I check my score sheet for gaps, particularly move 20 😉 .
340. Is there a danger after time trouble?
After surviving a time scramble, players often relax prematurely and blunder in the resulting position — so managing the mental transition out of time pressure is its own skill.
341. Does my opponent’s time trouble effect my play negatively?
Some people get nervous and even try to play extremely fast in their opponent’s time trouble. This is no good idea, as it can lead to severe mistakes. What you could do is thinking of a longer plan and then play a sequence of two or three follow-up moves rapidly, if they are more or less forced.
342. What kind of moves should I avoid in my opponent’s time trouble?
Avoid the following types of moves, unless they are clearly strong:
1. Liquidations
Exchanging pieces makes things easier for your opponent.
2. Long, forced sequences
Long sequences will help your opponent to tick off a lot of moves.
3. Simply threats
You opponent will have thought about your most aggressive moves. Don’t play them, if they are easy to parry.
4. Nondescript moves
Don’t play nondescript moves if your opponent has easy ways to improve his position. He will have thought about such improvements in case nothing happens from your side.
343. What kind of moves should I play in my opponent’s time trouble?
The best moves are those, which are less obvious and contain a subtle idea. Also strong are prophylactical moves, which refute his active options. As in time trouble the thoughts are centered on activity, such prophylactical moves can be a deadly weapon.
344. When should I cover my score sheet in my opponent’s time trouble?
There is nothing wrong with covering your last move with your pen, which should normally also cover the move before. This makes it more difficult for your opponent, to get a clear orientation. Particularly you want to cover move 40, so that your opponent doesn’t know whether 40 moves are already completed. You want him to make a hasty move 41 out of ignorance.
