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By Chad Lieberman

Over the past month or so, I have conveyed to the reader how USCL can be used as a tool for improving one's tournament play. However, no matter how much you attempt to argue it, chess will always be a game. Therefore, it should be fun!

For this primary reason, the lightning section of play exists. There are three different categories of time controls (standard, blitz, and lightning). Time controls between 0/1 and 3/0 are considered lightning speed.

This week's featured game is a rated lightning game played at 2/0. The relative speed of the game does not reduce its didactic power.

There are several interesting moves here. One of them occurs just after the endgame sets in. The power of a far advanced passed pawn is displayed through its ability to support 35.Bd6! This excellent move leaves black in zugzwang. If he trades the bishops, the pawn will queen. With no way of moving his bishop off of the diagonal, black must sit back and observe its capture.

Lightning games can help to improve your chess intuition, a subject that I have covered in this column before. It forces you to think faster and more clearly in order to be successful.

However, I must warn the reader. Lightning speed games are to be played in moderation. Playing too many fast games will make you play more quickly and less carefully in tournaments. Otherwise, good luck and have fun!