Chess Clock Rules

Types of Clocks

• An official chess clock is actually composed of two clocks that are linked together. Each clock tracks the time allotted for each player to move. They are designed so that one clock starts the moment the other clock is stopped. When first developed, chess clocks were all analog. Today, both analog and digital clocks are approved for competition.

Placement of the Clock

• The clock is placed at the side of the chess board. For competition recognized by the World Chess Federation, the tournament arbiter determines exactly where the clock is placed. In less formal play, the player who owns the black pieces chooses whether to place the clock on his right or left.

Timing the Game

• International rules call for the clock to be programmed to allow 40 moves to be made within the span of 2 hours. According to Chess Corner, a player is given 2 minutes to make a move, and for each move he makes, 12 seconds is added to the time he has remaining on the clock. Thus, quick moves early in the game will afford a player more time to make complicated moves later on. If a player's allotted time elapses before he completes his move, he automatically forfeits the game.

Handling the Clock

• According to Chess Invasion, a player must use the same hand he uses to move his pieces to press the button on the clock. Players are not allowed to let their hands hover over the clock buttons.

Different Styles of Chess Timing

• Although standard rules of chess allow for long, intricate contests, Chess Corner recognizes other versions of the game that have emerged. These versions use different timing schemes, which lead to different playing strategies. Rapidplay is a style that programs the clock in a way that forces the game to be finished in 30 minutes. Blitz Chess, also called Speed Chess, is timed for the game to be completed in 5 minutes.