Gaining a psychological advantage in a blitz chess game

A blitz (or lightning/fast chess) is a type of chess game in which each side is given less time to make their moves than under normal tournament time controls of 60-150 minutes per player. This article will refer to gaining a psychological advantage in a blitz chess game, in witch each side is given between 3-5 minutes, usually without increasement (when a player gets extra seconds added to his clock after each move).

A psychological strategy to winning in a blitz chess game is based on the fact that statistically, a blitz game usually ends not by one of the sides checkmated, but rather by one of the players running out of time. There for, the supreme objective in a blitz chess game is in fact, to make the opponent lose valuable time thinkung of the next move, rather than gain the superior position on the board. This makes time pressure an advantage, and not an obstacle.
Here are a few ways to make the opponent lose as much time as possible:

Playing an unusual opening: Most average players play the kings pawn gambit (e4), witch they know best. Playing an unusual opening like the English opening (c4) or even the more known queen's gambit (d4) may be both confusing and demoralizing for the opponent. In fact, playing an inferior but little known opening may gain a critical advantage even against a better and more experienced player.

Complicate rather than simplify: Most beginner players will try to simplify the situation on the board by swapping as many pieces as possible, thus "opening" and simplifying the situation. In addition, a swap is an easy move to spot, and the decision is made fast. But in fact, rather than simplifying the situation, one would rather make obscure moves, thus complicating the situation and making the opponent think of an original move, rather than a fast response move to the swipe.

Threat to capture as much as possible. When a player threatens to capture an opponent piece, even when it is easily defended, the opponent must waste time to think of ways to protect it, thus loosing precious seconds. A threat to capture is both a simple move that doesn't require much thought, and an aggressive move that pressurizes the opponent.

It is important to remember that chess strategy changes while playing a blitz game. The aim is not to win on the board (most players that achieve a supreme position on the board- lose because of lack of time), but rather to complicate the position as much as possible, thus forcing the opponent to lose by running out of time.