Would it be beneficial for a beginner to play a lot of blitz games with different openings? To what extent is it beneficial?

In order to improve, you need to play a lot of fast games AND a lot of slow games. And by slow games, I don't mean games with a slow time control, but you still move fast. You need to stop and really analyze on every move to get good at it. But playing blitz to expose yourself to lots of positions, and to get better at spotting things quickly, is also good practice.

--Fromper

I don't like 5 minute games. I prefer 10 minute games. I've found that if games actually go into the end-game then 5 minute games run out of time. Therefore the game goes to the person who moves faster as opposed to the one that makes better decisions.

It seems to me that moving too fast without giving the board a proper inspection is one of the downfalls for beginners. Playing games with too little time just makes it harder to break the bad habit of leaping before you give the board a good overall look.

Blitz can be great for training. Alot of intermediate players only play each other in Blitz which is why they learn very little.

I have personally watched GM Akobian win 30 games in a row at 1 minute to 5 minute time odds against 2000+ rated players. (One player actually lasted 51 seconds against GM Akobian. )

The point being: When your knowledge reaches a certain point, the moves become more reflexive, including tactical considerations. Though this does not occur without many hours of practice.

For an absolute beginner, I recommend playing zero games, just study. Casual blitz will teach a beginner almost nothing. And OTB Tournament play will offer only devastation, compared to self study, or hiring a trainer.

Good fundamental knowledge? Now it's time to climb into the ring to gain the experience for which there is no replacement...

A beginner should STAY AWAY from blitz entirely. No way to understand tactical and positional nuances in quick games unless, like was mentioned, there is massive experience involved. I suggest slower games, 45 min to 60 min games. Just my opine.

Stay away, yes. Entirely, no. Some experience in blitz here and there is helpful at any level.

If you get into an endgame in blitz, either you or your opponent has done something wrong.

I think blitz is a great tool for helping work out your opening repertoire. You get a lot of exposure to the type of positions in each variation you play. Secondly, if you play slowly in in normal games, and get into time-trouble, your blitz ability will help you in those situations. As long as you don't start playing fast when you don't need to in slower games, it can help you improve your play.

As I said earlier, playing some blitz is a mandatory part of any improvement plan. So is playing slow games regularly. This really isn't optional.

I would say that playing blitz with a delay or increment is better than just 5 minute blitz, though. That way, the clock keeps you moving quickly, but you won't lose in an easily won position just because you run out of time.

And I disagree with Octal that endgames shouldn't happen in blitz. He seems to be assuming that all blitz is based on trying risky lines that'll lead to quick wins or losses. Why? You can play solid lines that lead to slow, positional maneuvering and an eventual endgame, just at a faster time control. After all, if you don't play the same stuff in your blitz games as your slow games, then what are you learning?

--Fromper

Exactly. I rarely play 5min chess, or 10min chess for that matter. More popular around here are 3 8, 2 12 and 1 20, but that's OTB.

For me, it's mostly 5 5 or 10 5 on FICS, which is slow for blitz, but still pretty fast for a lousy blitzer like me. I prefer sticking to 5 second increments, because there's usually a 5 second delay in my slow USCF tourney games, so it's good practice for when I get into time trouble in those OTB tournies.

This Friday, I'll be playing in a 5 minute blitz (no delay/increment) side event at the Florida State Championship, and I'm expecting to get clobbered. I figure it's a good way to help flesh out my opening repertoire before the main event, since the blitz side event is the night before the main slow event starts. I'll be happy if I win even 1 or 2 games out of 7.

--Fromper