{"id":117,"date":"2022-06-15T14:59:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T14:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/?p=117"},"modified":"2022-07-16T05:44:39","modified_gmt":"2022-07-16T05:44:39","slug":"what-is-the-clock-for-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessarea.com\/what-is-the-clock-for-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Clock For In Chess?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One thing about chess that many players take for granted nowadays is the chess clock! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess has been around for such a long time, and as such it\u2019s probably surprising that chess clocks as we know them didn\u2019t come into development until the late 1800s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, they are a vital part of the toolkit for many chess players!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Chess Clock?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chess clocks are really important pieces of equipment for many chess players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They allow the measurement and tracking of time across a game, and are a vital part of many tournaments for one simple reason – they give a way to enforce a fair time limit for a game!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is really important because without a way of putting a time limit on players in a game of chess<\/a>, there\u2019s no way of telling when a game could end. Indeed, games could potentially go on for days or weeks if players are allowed to use as much time as they want to plan their moves out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, if there\u2019s no advantage in making moves quickly, players are incentivized to play as slowly and thoughtfully as they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This might make for really intense games in the players minds – but it\u2019s unrealistic to have such lengthy games at a tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, for the sake of actually finishing games in a timely fashion, a time limit has to be enforced. Chess clocks are how these time limits are imposed on players!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess clocks have been around for a very long time now – since the 1800s, in fact. Indeed, they were invented for the very purpose of speeding games up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess clocks typically have two faces, one for each player. PLayers will have a set amount of time each to make their moves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During each players turn, their clock counts down from this set amount of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once they\u2019re finished with their move, they press a button on the clock and the counting down stops on their side – and starts on their opponents side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each player takes turns making moves like this, with their clock counting down the whole time. Oh, and the final thing about time – if you run out of it, you lose the game! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, not only does this speed games up, but it also forces players to think more quickly – which arguably makes them better chess players in the long run!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Chess Clocks Used For?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, the primary use of chess clocks is to ensure that games actually end in a timely fashion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without any restrictions at all on time, there\u2019s nothing to stop a player from taking as long as they want to make a move. This can frustrate their opponent, of course – and in extreme cases can ruin games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not just that, but having no time limit on games makes tournament play difficult to say the least. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tournaments must of course run to a schedule, and so it\u2019s essential that these chess matches have a strict time limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PLayers also use them as a way of speeding their chess games up, and making them more exciting! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess players will often find that games without time limits not only drag on, but also don\u2019t excite them as much as games that force them to make decisions quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing with time restrictions means that players not only have to make good decisions, but also have to learn how to make them quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, of course, having a restriction on the length of chess games means that players actually get to play more games of chess! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than spending all day and night on a single game (which can easily happen if there are no restrictions on move length), a shorter time allotment can mean that players get to play many games instead of just one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who like chess, playing more games is surely a great thing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Every Game Of Chess Need A Clock?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, not every game of chess needs a chess clock. One of the great things about chess is that it can be played<\/a> with only a board and pieces! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, in fact, higher level players can actually play a game of chess entirely in their heads – but most of us will need at least something physical in order to keep track of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chess can be played perfectly well without a clock, for many reasons. For one thing, not having a strict time limit isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing, and doesn\u2019t have to lead to games that drag out for eternity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most casual players of chess don\u2019t use chess clocks<\/a> – but instead use gentlemen’s agreements to ensure that moves and games don\u2019t go on for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply having an agreement at the start of the game about not taking too long over moves is often sufficient for many players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, the prospect of a game that doesn\u2019t have a known end time can also be something that many players like – assuming, of course, that they have enough time to actually finish it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, of course, there\u2019s the argument that for many players having a game end by timeout simply isn\u2019t satisfying at all, either to win or lose! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s a great idea in circumstances where games simply need to end at a certain time, it can also be a far less fun way to play if the time limit restricts the fun the players are having.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, players can use chess clocks without being overly draconian about them. Really, outside of tournament play, the game is run however the players say it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some, using a chess clock makes the game better – for others, it\u2019s not something they feel they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, chess players should get used to using both ways to play, as there are positives to both!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chess clocks are great tools for many chess players. However, many chess players also get on perfectly well without them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you play with a chess clock or not, hopefully this guide has helped you to learn something about them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/1q4I_KjWuYw<\/a>