Chess Clocks: Time And Your Game
Chess is a very complex game. No matter how much time you have already spent thinking about your move, it is always possible to spend even more! There are always more nuances of the position that can be discovered. There is always more double-checking and triple-checking of calculations that can be done. Chess clocks are therefore essential to keep the game moving.
In this article, we cover all you need to know about chess clocks:
- A brief history of chess clocks.
- Different types of chess clocks and features to look for.
- How to choose the right chess clock for you.
What Is A Chess Clock?
Chess clocks are standard equipment in chess tournaments, even at amateur level.
The device has two adjacent timers, with a button above each. The time on each clock represents the total thinking time each player has remaining for the rest of the game. Only one player’s clock runs at a time, depending on whose move it is. When a player makes their move, they press the button, which stops their clock and starts their opponent’s.
The penalty for running out of time on the chess clock is the loss of the game.
The Wholesale Chess Advanced Digital Game Timer, available from the USCF store.
Players decide for themselves how to distribute their time. A particularly complicated, critical position usually warrants spending more time.
However, one cannot afford too many of these “long thinks”, as it can result in time trouble, where they are forced to play uncomfortably fast due to too little time remaining on their clock. Time management is therefore a crucial skill for chess players, to avoid falling into time trouble.
Related: Time Management in Chess by Regina Pokorna.
History Of Chess Clocks
Games were played without a time limit in the early years of chess. Players could take as long as they wanted to make their moves. Of course, etiquette demanded that they had to move eventually, but there were some cases where the lack of a time limit became a serious problem.
There was one instance that the game became so languid that both players fell asleep!
Another time, a player faced with a losing position simply refused to move - since any move he made would bring him closer to defeat.
And then there was a game where one player took so long on his turn that his opponent finally ran out of patience and requested that he make his move - whereupon the startled player replied: “Oh! I thought it was your move, not mine!”
The advent of chess clocks provided the solution. They were invented by Thomas Bright Wilson of the Manchester Chess Club. Chess clocks were first used in serious competition at the London 1883 tournament. The chess community quickly realized the advantages of chess clocks, and they soon became ubiquitous in tournaments worldwide.
We will now take a look at different types of chess clocks, and the pros and cons of each.
Analog Clocks (Mechanical Clocks)
All chess clocks of the 19th century and for much of the 20th century were analog.
Analog chess clocks have hands which move around the clock face to signify the passage of time, just like the design of an analog wristwatch.
At the top of the hour (at the “12”) is a small “flag” which represents the expiry of the player’s allotted time. In the below image of analog clocks, the flags are red.
As the hand of the chess clock pushes its way towards the 12, the flag lifts higher and higher, until being almost horizontal. Finally, the moment will arrive where the clock’s hand pushes past the flag and the flag will fall - representing the loss of the game.
Regulation Wooden Mechanical Chess Clock, available from the USCF store.
Advantages of Analog Clocks:
- Classic look and feel makes them aesthetically pleasing.
- Simple design means they are easy to use. There is none of the confusion that can accompany digital chess clocks and all their various settings - which is especially relevant for the technologically-challenged!
- Many analog clocks are powered by internal springs, which means they do not require batteries. Before purchasing, check whether your analog clock is battery-powered or spring-powered.
Disadvantages of Analog Clocks:
- Manually placing the starting position of the clock hands on each timer invariably results in each player beginning the game with slightly different amounts of time, no matter how carefully it is done.
- Players cannot tell precisely how much time they have remaining. This becomes especially important when time is almost up. Do they have one minute remaining to make their move, or mere seconds? It is difficult to tell by looking at the position of the flag until it has already fallen - by which point it is too late.
- Advanced time settings (such as increment, delay, etc…) are not possible.
Not many present day chess tournaments use analog chess clocks anymore, but they can still be a great option to have in the home. They are uncomplicated, look beautiful, and are a pleasure to play with. Check out our full range here.
Digital Clocks
Digital chess clocks show the time remaining for each player via digits on the display screen.
Although digital clocks lack the charm of analog clocks, their greater precision and clarity mean that they are preferred in the vast majority of modern chess tournaments, especially at the elite level.
DGT 2500 Digital Chess Clock, available from the USCF store.
Advantages of Digital Clocks:
- Both players start with exactly the same amount of time on their clocks. There is no question of one player getting slightly more or less time than the other, unlike with analog clocks.
- Each player can see exactly how much time they have remaining. There is none of the ambiguity that exists with analog clocks.
- Advanced time features (such as increment, delay, etc…) are easily implemented with digital clocks. Additionally, these time settings can be programmed and saved in the memory of the more advanced, high quality digital clocks.
Disadvantages of Digital Clocks:
- Some digital clocks can be overly complicated. All the advanced features are no good if you are not tech-savvy enough to figure out how to use them!
- Depending on your personal preferences, you may find digital clocks less aesthetically attractive than analog clocks.
- Batteries are needed to operate digital clocks, unlike many analog clocks (mechanical clocks), which are spring-powered. If the batteries are not replaced proactively, a digital clock’s batteries can run out mid-game!
Digital chess clocks are the go-to option for today’s serious chess tournaments. They offer the maximum in fairness and customizability. Check out our full range here.
Summary: Choosing The Right Chess Clock For You
Picking a chess clock may seem overwhelming, so here are a few quick questions to help you find the perfect chess clock for your needs:
- Analog or digital? This article has gone into great detail about the different types of chess clocks. Do you prefer the classical style of an analog clock, or the modern-day features of a digital clock?
- Simplicity or many options? If you go for a digital chess clock, there is a wide gamut to choose from: everything from straightforward timers to those with dozens of settings. Do you just want something basic? Or do you need all the bells and whistles? Decide which options matter to you to help narrow your search.
- Board connectivity? One particularly important feature for serious tournament play is the ability for a digital clock to pair with a digital board - the type that detects the moves automatically as they are played. If this is important to you, check if the clock you are considering offers this functionality before purchasing.