Lessons From Mariánské Lázně: Take Your Time

IN round seven I was 55 minutes ahead on the clock at move 20, 68 minutes at move 30, 77 minutes at move 40, 89 minutes at move 50 and 95 minutes at move 60.

I resigned on move 65.

There are no style points for using less time than the opponent - the only points that count are the ones appearing on the score chart.

It is easy to prove, not that proof is really needed, that properly using the time you have makes for better chess.

As an example, just play an engine-v-engine game in which you input one side's immediate response while letting the other side have five seconds' calculation time.

If you use the same engine for both sides, the latter will almost invariably win whether it has black or white.

Naturally procrastination is not to be recommended either, but I am convinced far more games are lost through playing too quickly than through playing too slowly.

Strong players seem to agree, which is why they take so much time over their opening moves, sometimes in position where everyone 'knows' what the next move will be.