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What is the Best Chess Clock?

What's the purpose of the clock while playing chess?

  • I play chess but I never use a clock. I play on the computer and there it is, that clock. Does the time one take to move his chess piece a factor in competition? Or it's ...show more

  • Answer:

    Back in olden times some players took so long to move that they had to use a clock just to finish the game in the same day it started. Competitive chess has evolved since then and now clocks are expected. A typical tournament game can take as long as 5 hours. Some tournaments have shorter time controls all the way down to 1 minute per side. Some players specialize in certain time controls like only playing 5 min games. Most good players play lots of 5, 10, 15 minute games to gain a lot of experience in a short of amount of time. If you're playing for fun or against the computer there's no reason to use a clock. In fact, against a computer I would recommend taking as long as you need. The computer isn't going to get mad at you and it will make you a better player.

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Other answers

In some chess games, the match or turn is timed to either prevent taking too long, or to provide an extra dimension to the competition to see how well a player can play under time constraints. It's really optional. On computers, particularly multiplayer matches, you'll more likely see a timer since it prevents the other person from leaving (going away from the keyboard) for a long time.

WK of Angmar

Because you could stall forever if you were losing; without a clock. Actually in the old days of serious chess matches there was no clock. It couldn't work & didn't. They had to introduce it.

Chris Ancor

Yes, the clocks are mostly for official matches. They are there to insure that a given match doesn't drag on FOREVER and as a way to test individual players. Cheers.

The Booger Man

It's to keep the pace of the game flowing fast so players have to think on their feet.

Chandler

Some people take it seriously like, to the max and like to time them when going against the COM or just the second player. Really no purpose just optional sort if.

Anonyymous

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