Answers.Body: <p>I feel like the 90-minute (+ 30s increment) games are just perfect for getting better, but it might be caused by the fact that I'm used to it. Pretty much any longer time control will do the job.</p>
  
  <p>But definitely, your choice to play with longer time controls is a good one. For me, a 30-minute game is a rapid game and even FIDE thinks so :)</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>A ‘Rapidplay’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>The big difference will obviously be the "redundant" time for you. I think you can use that for improving in some techniques like double-checking and evaluating positions.</p>
  
  <p>The idea is to use these methods extensively (and consciously) until they become part of your unconsciousness. I learned this idea from a book called Pumped Up Your Rating by Axel Smith.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Some other advice:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Your brain can adapt to the time quickly and, especially if you're a "time-trouble player", what might have seemed as a lot of time before is suddenly not that much... That doesn't mean you shouldn't think, just <strong>anyway be aware of the time situation on your clock.</strong></li>
  <li><strong>Don't be hasty when your opponent starts playing quickly.</strong> That applies generally, but in longer time controls it is more important than anywhere else. For example, you have no reason to become nervous when your opponent has 80 minutes left and you have "only" 55 minutes on your clock after 20 moves - it's quite a lot of time. Just stick to your time management.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I guess the last point falls into the category of mental preparation because you might feel pressure in such a case. So it's good to be prepared for that.</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>The last thing I have on my mind is how you spend the time when it's your opponent's turn. In rapid games, players are usually used to sit at the board throughout the entire game, which is almost impossible in case of long games.</p>
  
  <p>It usually depends on the character of the player, some stand up from the games very often, some not. Just keep in mind that you shouldn't distract yourself too much when you're off the board as you don't want to build your concentration from the bottom-up again. I think you will have to try this yourself.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-09T20:41:28.203Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-04-09T20:50:12.923Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2018-04-09T20:50:12.923Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: kmartin
Answers.Body: <p>If you have more time available, there are really just two options. One is to think about the same things as before, but to try harder. The other is to find new things to think about. In order to develop your game, the second option is to be preferred.</p>
  
  <p>Long-term planning may be something that you never thought you had time for. Which pieces do I want to exchange? How would I like to change the pawn structure? Is there an endgame position I would like to get to?</p>
  
  <p>If you do these things they will affect your move calculations by introducing new motivations. Then you will need more time for those calculations.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-10T02:08:07.033Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-04-10T18:44:08.197Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2018-04-10T18:44:08.197Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Philip Roe
Answers.Body: <p>I agree with the other answers, but I want to point out a couple of things. With longer time controls, I agree that it is important to check and re-check your thinking. Your opponent will be doing the same thing, so the game itself will be more complex and the stakes will be higher. One piece of advice I have is that if you see a good combination or trick, a<em>lways assume your opponent sees it too</em>! Short time controls means you can take a gamble and quite often your opponent does not notice tricky threats. When you have time to consider multiple responses to a move, more often than not, your plan will not work as planned.</p>
  
  <p>On a different but related level, you might want to rethink your openings. If you have any intense gambits, I would reconsider using them. They can throw people off, but if you meet people who know what they are doing, they can make for a miserable few hours. You will also probably face more main lines of openings in longer play</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2018-04-12T17:32:03.433Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-04-12T17:32:03.433Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: rougon
Body: <p>I've played extensively online with a G/30 time control, and OTB at G/30 with a 5 second delay.  I'd like to start playing in tournaments though that have a time control of G/90 with a 30 second increment.  </p>
  
  <p>Should I approach the game any differently?  Obviously, I'd have longer to calculate, but are there any other types of differences to be aware of?  Or, are there different ways to prepare mentally?</p>
  
Tags: <tournament><time-control><time-management>
Title: Adjusting to longer time controls
ThreadText: # Adjusting to longer time controls
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-09)
  
  I've played extensively online with a G/30 time control, and OTB at G/30 with a 5 second delay. I'd like to start playing in tournaments though that have a time control of G/90 with a 30 second increment.
  
  Should I approach the game any differently? Obviously, I'd have longer to calculate, but are there any other types of differences to be aware of? Or, are there different ways to prepare mentally?
  
  **Tags:** tournament, time-control, time-management
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2018-04-09. Score: 3 | Accepted answer
  
  I feel like the 90-minute (+ 30s increment) games are just perfect for getting better, but it might be caused by the fact that I'm used to it. Pretty much any longer time control will do the job.
  
  But definitely, your choice to play with longer time controls is a good one. For me, a 30-minute game is a rapid game and even FIDE thinks so :)
  
  > A ‘Rapidplay’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player.
  
  The big difference will obviously be the "redundant" time for you. I think you can use that for improving in some techniques like double-checking and evaluating positions.
  
  The idea is to use these methods extensively (and consciously) until they become part of your unconsciousness. I learned this idea from a book called Pumped Up Your Rating by Axel Smith.
  
  ---
  
  Some other advice:
  
  * Your brain can adapt to the time quickly and, especially if you're a "time-trouble player", what might have seemed as a lot of time before is suddenly not that much... That doesn't mean you shouldn't think, just **anyway be aware of the time situation on your clock.**
  * **Don't be hasty when your opponent starts playing quickly.** That applies generally, but in longer time controls it is more important than anywhere else. For example, you have no reason to become nervous when your opponent has 80 minutes left and you have "only" 55 minutes on your clock after 20 moves - it's quite a lot of time. Just stick to your time management.
  
  I guess the last point falls into the category of mental preparation because you might feel pressure in such a case. So it's good to be prepared for that.
  
  ---
  
  The last thing I have on my mind is how you spend the time when it's your opponent's turn. In rapid games, players are usually used to sit at the board throughout the entire game, which is almost impossible in case of long games.
  
  It usually depends on the character of the player, some stand up from the games very often, some not. Just keep in mind that you shouldn't distract yourself too much when you're off the board as you don't want to build your concentration from the bottom-up again. I think you will have to try this yourself.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2018-04-10. Score: 3
  
  If you have more time available, there are really just two options. One is to think about the same things as before, but to try harder. The other is to find new things to think about. In order to develop your game, the second option is to be preferred.
  
  Long-term planning may be something that you never thought you had time for. Which pieces do I want to exchange? How would I like to change the pawn structure? Is there an endgame position I would like to get to?
  
  If you do these things they will affect your move calculations by introducing new motivations. Then you will need more time for those calculations.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2018-04-12. Score: 2
  
  I agree with the other answers, but I want to point out a couple of things. With longer time controls, I agree that it is important to check and re-check your thinking. Your opponent will be doing the same thing, so the game itself will be more complex and the stakes will be higher. One piece of advice I have is that if you see a good combination or trick, a*lways assume your opponent sees it too*! Short time controls means you can take a gamble and quite often your opponent does not notice tricky threats. When you have time to consider multiple responses to a move, more often than not, your plan will not work as planned.
  
  On a different but related level, you might want to rethink your openings. If you have any intense gambits, I would reconsider using them. They can throw people off, but if you meet people who know what they are doing, they can make for a miserable few hours. You will also probably face more main lines of openings in longer play
  
  
  ---
  
  