Bullet vs blitz chess: what's the difference?
Bullet is under 3 minutes per player; blitz is 3 minutes to under 10; rapid starts at 10 in this Park. With increments, we classify speed using the starting time plus 40 moves' worth of bonus seconds. Short clock, big difference.
Want to play chess online free right now? Head to the Park lobby — see who's waiting and who's mid-game.
The tables are open — be the first to sit down.
Bullet chess: 1+0 here
Less than 3 minutes of estimated time per player. Our 1+0 gives each side one minute with no added time. Fast recognition matters more than long calculation. Use familiar openings, but don't mistake speed for accuracy.
Blitz chess: 3+0, 3+2 and 5+0
From 3 minutes to under 10 of estimated time per player. In 3+2, you start with three minutes and receive two seconds after each move. That's an estimated 4 minutes 20 seconds over 40 moves, so it's blitz. Spend your thinking time on positions where the choice really matters.
Rapid chess: 10+0 and 30+0
Here, 10 minutes or more of estimated time counts as rapid. More time gives you room to calculate and review your decisions. These are online categories used by this Park; tournament definitions can differ. A 30+0 game gives each player 30 minutes, not 30 minutes for the whole game.
What does the plus sign mean?
The first number is starting minutes per player; the second is bonus seconds added after each move. 5+0 means five minutes with no bonus. 3+2 means three minutes plus two seconds per move. Only the player whose turn it is has a ticking clock.
Which should I play?
New or improving? Start with 10 minutes. Want adrenaline? 3 minutes. Got a coffee and a free half hour? 30 minutes. Your Hustlers rating counts across all of them.
FAQ
What's the difference between bullet and blitz?
In this Park, bullet is under 3 minutes and blitz is 3 to under 10 minutes per player, counting starting time plus 40 moves of increment. Bullet rewards fast recognition; blitz leaves more room for calculation.
Is rapid better for improving?
Usually, yes — more time means you can actually think through your mistakes.
Is 3+2 bullet or blitz?
Blitz. Three starting minutes plus 40 two-second increments equals an estimated 4 minutes 20 seconds per player.
Which time controls can I play here?
1+0, 3+0, 3+2, 5+0, 10+0 and 30+0. Play now starts a 3+2 search after entry; cancel the search in the lobby to choose a different speed.