{"id":882,"date":"2021-04-12T15:08:57","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T15:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/?p=882"},"modified":"2022-07-03T23:46:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T23:46:04","slug":"how-do-chess-clocks-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/how-do-chess-clocks-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting Up Chess Clocks for Beginners: How They Work in Tournaments"},"content":{"rendered":"
⭐⭐⭐ Take 7 minutes to read and improve your chess game ➡️ : This article was first published on, and is Copyright of Chessquestions.com<\/p>\n
Chess clocks are a necessary and important piece of equipment in any game. They keep track of time for the players, as well as control when each player can move. Some people use analog chess clocks while others prefer digital ones. This article will go over how to set up both types of chess clocks, including some tips for beginners who may not know about this equipment yet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chess clocks are two timers in one, each relevant to a player. The time allowance settings are put in place and the clock started once the game begins when black presses his button, white moves, and presses again operating the switch to countdown the opponent’s time on their turn.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This article will look at setting up and using both analog clocks and the newer digital chess clocks that are available. I’ll take a look at official tournament clocks and collector’s pieces but also provide a step-by-step guide to setting your chess clock ready for a game once your chess board is set up correctly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most tournament hall settings, you will find all tables set with the clock on the right before chess players take their places. But where should the clock be positioned for a game of chess?<\/p>\n\n\n There is no right or wrong position for a chess clock next to the board. most people will favor it to their right, which is natural given the greater number of right-handed players, but ultimately, the choice is that of the black player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So be prepared to be thrown a curveball and find it on the left sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A chess clock is basically a countdown timer. There are two clocks, one for each player. There are some basic steps to use a chess clock in a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A chess clock is used in game conditions to measure the time available for making each move. These are called chess time control<\/a>s. <\/p>\n\n\n As each player completes a move they press the button to stop their clocks’ countdown whilst simultaneously starting the countdown on their opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This continues until the game has concluded or one player has run out of the allocated time allowance in the game. If a player runs out of time they lose the game regardless of who had the advantage at the time the allocation passes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things are generally quite frantic, to begin with, as opening moves are made swiftly with a succession of very quick changes in turn. Players make these quick moves in the beginning to conserve time for the middle and end game<\/a> when more consideration per move may be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time is precious when you don’t have enough of it. <\/em><\/p>Vladimir Kramnik<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Before a time-controlled game can start, the chess clock needs to be set to the right time that is relevant to the game being played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you know how much time to allocate to each player it is time to set the clock ready to play. This process will differ depending on whether you are using a Digital Chess clock or an old-style analog chess clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not possible to get all of this information into the table, so here is an explanation of how the timing is controlled in the World Chess<\/a> Championship matches. This is taken from the FIDE Handbook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Clock is Positioned at the Black Players Preference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Use a Chess Clock in a game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Set up The Chess Clock for a Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Game<\/th> Time<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> World Championship<\/td> See Below*<\/td><\/tr> US Chess <\/td> 40\/2 SD1**<\/td><\/tr> Local Chess<\/td> G\/60 d5***<\/td><\/tr> Blitz<\/td> 3-10 minutes<\/td><\/tr> Bullet<\/td> 3 Minutes<\/td><\/tr> Lightning<\/td> 1 Minute<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n *World Chess Championship Time Controls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n