Clocks

Terminology

• Chessclock - a chess clock with 2 time displays
• Clock - one of the two time displays

Chess clock regulations

• The display should be visible from a distance of 3 metres
• A player should be able to tell if it's running from 10 metres
• The same clock should be used throughout a tournament

Laws revolving around clocks

• A player must always be allowed to stop his clock after moving

  Note that this rule doesn't say when after moving

• A move is only completed when the clock is pressed - this may complete more than 1 move

• If the last move of a time control is made but not completed (by pressing the clock), and the flag falls, then the player loses unless the opponent cannot deliver checkmate

• Same hand for making the move should be the same hand as pressing the clock

• Players shouldn't hit the clock too hard

• The arbiter has the right to say where clocks are placed. (Normally placed on Black's right-hand side)

• A flag is considered fallen only when the arbiter or a player sees it

• Faulty clocks should be replaced

• The arbiter has to use their best judgement if the position has to be reset. Clock adjustment is also their judgement

Final sessions:

• If both flags have fallen and we dunno which one fell first, the game continues until it is the final session
• If the game's moves cannot be established during a time section, the next move will be the first move of the new time control
• If the final session, then the game is drawn.

Player interactions with the clock:

• A player may stop the clock if they have a valid reason

  • Valid reasons:
    • Claiming a draw
    • Dispute is raised
    • Someone stops the clock and asks you how to explain castling when castling is possible and you're probably playing in a junior tournament, probably valid
    • Toilet breaks but if say, the player was an elderly person with a medical condition
  • Non-valid reasons:
    • Someone stops the clock and asks you how to explain castling when castling is not possible, that's invalid
    • Toilet breaks

• A player who stops the clock without a valid reason may be penalised

• If the clocks are stopped, it is the arbiter who decides when a game restarts.

  Tip

  When restarting the clock, do so behind the clock so it's not distracting (so you're not over the board)

Religious purposes

Some players have religious reasons for not pressing the clock (For example, a Jewish person playing chess on the Sabbath may consider pressing the clock as "doing work"). If they told you this in advance, this can be considered.

Clock recommendations

What to get

• DGT 3000
• DGT 2010
• KK9908 Leap clock (FIDE approved)

What to avoid

• DGT Easy
• DGT Easy Plus
• Saitek