From the German Blitz – lightning, a play with moves made in a rapid manner under a short time limit.
In the late 19th century such games are said to be played in London: each player had 30 seconds for one move, later it was reduced to 5 seconds. As the clock technology progressed, another time condition came to popularity: each player had 5 minutes for the whole game. Rules used for such games are almost the same as for a regular one, except for some minor alternations.
FIDE started to published a blitz rating list a couple years ago, before that some tries where made by Walter Browne in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Before 2006, two unofficial world championships were organized: the first won by Mikhail Tal in 1988 and the second by Robert Fischer in Herceg Novi in 1970, both tournaments included the best world players. More recently, in 2016, Sergey Karjakin was crowned World Blitz Champion in Doha.
ECHESSPEDIA
Quotes of the Day
I think I like chess. That’s the main reason that I’m able to play at a reasonably high level – that I really love chess. Always have and always will (smiles). It’s the best game in the world!
Nigel Short 2016
When you see a good move, look for a better one
Emanuel Lasker
In order to become a grandmaster class player whose understanding of chess is superior to the thousands of ordinary players, you have to develop within yourself a large number of qualities, the qualities of an artistic creator, a calculating practitioner, a cold calm competitor.
Alexander Kotov
We will note the openings used by the participants of a nine-round match. The age of openings is considerably higher than the age of both rivals. Some opening positions could be analyzed by Steinitz when he was preparing to his match with Zukertort.
Mikhail Tal 1966 (Petrosian-Spassky match)
When I see the Berlin defence, I am almost happy that I am not longer a top player!
Nigel Short 2016
