How to use a chess clock - part I

   A “chess clock” refers to a clock with two time displays, connected to each other in such a way that only one of them can run at one time.  Digital clocks are gaining in popularity, although the older analog clocks are still frequently seen at tournaments.

   When using a chess clock, each player must make a certain number or all moves in an allotted period of time and/or may be allocated an additional amount of time after each move. All this is specified in advance. The time saved by a player during one period is added to his time available for the next period, except in the “time delay” mode. In the time delay mode both players receive an allotted “main thinking time”. They also receive a “fixed extra time” for every move. The count down of the main time only commences after the fixed time has expired. Provided the player stops his clock before the expiry of the fixed time, the main thinking time does not change, irrespective of the proportion of the fixed time used.

   In manual clocks, each time display has a “flag”.  'Flag fall means that all the thinking time has been used up.

   At the time determined for the start of the game the clock of the player who has the white pieces is started.

   In tournament play, you usually lose the game if you arrive at the chessboard more than one hour after the scheduled start of the session (unless the rules of the competition specify or the tournament director decides otherwise).

chess clocks - part II