I have often seen players, from amateurs to grandmasters, spend 5-10 or sometimes 15 minutes (I have seen even worse case) to make the first move, then proceed to get into time pressure game after game. I can never understand this concept and I am trying to know why. If you are one of those people who do this, can you please shed some light as of what you are thinking?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
c4, d4, e4, or Nf3?
Perhaps they are trying to copy what they see in the movies. Delaying the first move to play some psychological trick on their opponent.
i think some super GM bronstein? used to take 30 minutes for 1st move…don’t you have an answer already from past?
I must admit that, although I am an ardent admirerer of Grandmaster D. Bronstein, I do not quite understand his habit of thinking about his first move from 10 minutes to half an hour. – Mikhail Tal
If you want a psychological advantage, just don’t come to the board. Sitting there and not moving just shows that you are foolish. You know who you play. You know what color you have. And you’re not smart enough to figure it out without your clock running.
Psychological …
I frequently and habitually start my games more than a half hour late. By doing this you demonstrate to your opponent that you really don’t care about the time nor are you too concerned about them either. It is similar to sacrificing a piece in the middle of the game for no reason. The result is that doubt begins to seep into their minds and after more than half an hour there is so much doubt developed that they really can’t play functional chess. If the rules allowed it I would love to attack my own rooks at the beginning of the game, to demonstrate the same contempt and disregard, but most Tournament Directors disallow it. Sometimes, when playing the White pieces I will insist on passing on the first move. This usually immediately provokes a confrontation with the Tournament Director which can get quite heated. If you are able to get the upper hand and browbeat the Tournament Director your opponent will spend the rest of his time across the board from you cowed and passive. Also, anytime I get into a tight spot on the board, I insist on making an illegal move, then go into a foaming rant with the tournament referee. As soon as he sees this, your opponent will definitely think twice about the consequences of winning a game from you. Using these strategies I have beat many GMs , IMs and FMs. They say that traditional chess is boring and over analyzed, but it is not, you just need to develop new strategies.
It’s probably because white’s already in Zugzwang!
Probably assessing your opponent and which opening and variation you want to churn out. which is the best to play against this particular opponent and which Opening you Feel like Playing. It also settles you down and readies you mentally for the game. At least those are the sorts of things I think about. Never Psychology or anything like that..( Does that seriously work? If you’re doing that to intimidate..there’s something wrong with your head…or your opponents if it actually works on them.)As a matter of fact..I particularily like it when someone stalls when I play em..Practical time advantage..and I’ll take every advantage given to me. I don’t often do it..but sometimes I think before I make my opening moves. (Well I did when I actually used to play) Just like I often think before I start drawing..just to get in the mood. Sometimes I think about a drawing days before I start it..in little pieces at a time then when you go..you’re ready. I don’t think the phenomenom is especially mysterious. Simply mental preperation. That’s my opinion..(For what its worth)
Mike Magnan
I do this sometimes, probably for at most about 10 minutes. Usually I’m thinking about what types of positions typically occur out of the opening I know. So I’m trying decide which opening to play based on what type of game and strategy I feel like to playing. This is all — no psychological effect or communicating something to my opponent. If I were playing more serious opponents on a more serious level, I would already know roughly which opening to play before sitting down.
Anonymous @ Wednesday, March 14, 2012 2:39:00 PM:
All childish behaviour that should not fool any IM or GM. Grow up.
I normally make my first move immediately, but I will sometimes take a few minutes, perhaps up to 5, to make my first move.
There are two reasons why.
Firstly, if I am tired or have arrived at the board in a hurry, I will take a few minutes to settle down, try to find some mental energy and a sense of calm. This used to mainly apply when I was working (I am retired now) but I will still do it if I don’t feel totally focused. I think this stems back to my experience as a junior, when I learnt that if I rushed through the first few moves too quickly, my brain was not properly in gear when I really needed to think.
Secondly, I occasionally will take a few minutes to weigh up what type of game I feel like playing that day, particulalry as black in response to 1.d4 In so doing I will take into account the strength on my opponent, the match or torunament situation etc, but mainly just if I am in the mood for sharp tactics or positional manouvering etc.
I don’t hold with the trying to psych your opponent out nonsense. I don’t think it works, and wouldn’t use it even if it did – it is slightly rude to try. On the other hand I am happy for people to try it on me – I will gratefully accept the time advantage 🙂
I wonder if the answers vary by age and strength. For what it is worth I am 51yo and about 2150.
Also, try to avoid the shower during a tournament. This makes it very difficult for the opponent to stay at the board and to beat you he needs to be an expert at blindfold chess.
Also, I hear that Ivanchuk falls asleep at the board. Maybe I will try this next time to show complete non-caring at the board.