Chess Clock
Choose a time control and press Start. Each player taps their own button after a move to stop their clock and start their opponent's. The space bar works too.
About Chess Clock
A chess clock keeps each player to a time limit. Each side has their own countdown, and only the clock of the player to move runs. When you finish your move you press your button, which stops your clock and starts your opponent's. If your time reaches zero, you lose on time. This version gives you the usual presets, from one minute bullet to 90 minutes classical, and lets you set your own.
The Laws of Chess describe two ways of adding time during a game. With an increment, a few seconds are added to your clock after each move you make, so you never lose the time you saved. With a delay, your clock waits for a few seconds at the start of each turn before it counts down, so a fast move costs nothing but the time is not saved. Pick the control you are playing, press Start, and tap your button after each move.
How to use Chess Clock
- Choose a time control, or enter the minutes each and the seconds.
- Decide whether the seconds are an increment or a delay.
- Press Start for White to begin, or just press the button of the player who has moved.
- After each move, press your own button or the space bar. Use Pause if you need to stop both clocks.
Common uses
- Playing over the board without a physical clock
- Running a club blitz night
- Timing a game of Scrabble, Go or a card game
- Practising speed chess
Frequently asked questions
What is an increment?
Time added to your clock after you complete each move. A 3+2 game gives 3 minutes each plus 2 seconds after every move.
What is a delay?
A pause at the start of your turn before your clock starts to run. With a 5 second delay, moving within 5 seconds uses no time at all, and the time is not added to your clock.
Which player has which button?
The top button is Black's and the bottom button is White's. White moves first, so a game starts with White's clock.
How do I stop the clocks?
Use the Pause button. Both clocks stop until you press Resume, which is useful while a dispute is settled.
What time controls are common?
Bullet is a minute or two each, blitz is three to five minutes, rapid is ten to fifteen, and classical is 90 minutes or more with an increment, as in many tournaments.