Fast chess, also known as Speed chess, is a type of chess in which each player is given less time to consider their moves than normal tournament time controls allow. Fast chess is subdivided, by decreasing time controls, into rapid chess, blitz chess, and bullet chess. Armageddon chess is a particular variation of fast chess in which different rules apply for each of the two players. As of February 2023, the top-ranked rapid chess player in the open section is Magnus Carlsen from Norway, who is also the top-ranked classical chess player and reigning world champion. The top-ranked blitz chess player as of February 2023 is Alireza Firouzja. As of February 2023, the women's top-ranked blitz player is Tan Zhongyi from China. China's Hou Yifan is the top-ranked rapid player, who is also the top-ranked women's classical chess player. FIDE rules The World Chess Federation (FIDE) divides time controls for chess into "classical" time controls, and the fast chess time controls. , for master-level players (with an Elo of 2200 or higher) the regulations state that at least 120 minutes per player (based on a 60-move game) must be allocated for a game to be rated on the "classical" list; for lower-rated players, this can be reduced to as little as 60 minutes. Games played faster than these time controls can be rated for rapid and blitz if they comply with the time controls for those categories. Players of fast and blitz chess are exempt from the requirement to record their moves onto a scoresheet (A.2). The arbiter or their assistant is responsible for the recording in competitions (A.3.1.2, B.3.1.2). Electronic recording is preferred. Overview A fast chess game can be further divided into several categories, which are primarily distinguished by the selection of time controls. Games may be played with or without time increments per move. Rapid (FIDE), quick (USCF), or active Time controls for each player in a game of rapid chess are, according to FIDE, more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes. Rapid chess can be played with or without time increments for each move. When time increments are used, a player can automatically gain, for instance, ten more seconds on the clock after each move. When time increments are used, the total time per player for a 60-move game must be more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes. Rapid chess was called