Tournament Timer
Preset: 1+0 — classic one-minute bullet
Tap a clock face to pass the move. First to run out of time loses.
Bullet chess is the fastest common way to play: each player gets less than three minutes for the whole game, and the classic setting is one minute with no increment (1+0). A full game can be over in under two minutes, so bullet is less about deep calculation and more about instinct, pattern recognition and handling the clock.
Bullet is hugely popular online, but it is great fun over a real board too, as long as both players can reach the clock easily. This bullet chess timer opens pre-set to 1+0. Tap your own side immediately after every move and keep the device in the middle of the table so nobody has to stretch.
Play the same openings every game so you move by memory. Keep pieces protected, because there is no time to calculate tactics. When the clock gets low, simple safe moves beat clever ones. And in over-the-board bullet, always press the clock with the same hand you moved with.
What is bullet chess?
Bullet is any game where each player has less than three minutes in total. 1+0, 2+1 and 1+1 are the most common settings.
Is bullet chess an official FIDE category?
No. FIDE only recognises blitz, rapid and standard. Bullet games are unofficial and mostly played online or casually.
Is bullet chess bad for improving?
Bullet is fun and trains fast pattern recognition, but it rewards speed over understanding. Mix it with rapid games if you want to improve.
Can I add increment to bullet?
Yes. Set the increment to 1 second for 1+1 or change the starting time to 2 for a 2+1 game.
Every format has its own pre-set clock: Bullet 1+0, Blitz 3+2, Blitz 5+0, 10 Minute Rapid, Rapid 15+10, 30 Minute Rapid and the Tournament Clock 90+30. Or set any time control you like on the main online chess clock.
Black
White
Black wins on time.