Using Timers
Playing Chess Matches with a Timer

Timers are a standard part of rated (USCF) chess tournaments, so it is important to understand how timers are used in a chess match, and some basic timer etiquette.

Timers are typically of the wind up (analog) or digital kind.  They will either have two clock faces on one timer, or two digital time displays on the same timer.  Above, or next to each clock face or time display will be a button.  When one player pushes their button, it causes their opponents time to run, and vice versa.

When playing in a match where time is a factor, the time will usually

be displayed as “G30,” or some variation of that to fit the time element of the tournament.  This example would denote that each player has 30 minutes of time to make all their moves, with a possibility that the match could be a total of one hour.  Typically, and especially with scholastic chess, very few matches are ended on account of time.

If using a wind up timer, the end time is usually considered to be 6 o’clock on the dial.  Therefore, in the example above, the time on both clock faces on the timer would be set to 5:30.  Time with a wind up timer is considered to be expired when the “flag” drops on one, or both, of the clock faces.  With a digital timer, the amount of time allotted is inputted to each digital display, and the timer simply does a countdown to 0:00.

Time can be a factor with regard to who wins or loses a match.  If your opponent runs out of time, you are the one to call time.  You should never call time on yourself as this results in you forfeiting/losing the match.  So, if your opponent runs out of time, and you call time, you win the match as long as you have sufficient mating material on the board.  This usually means you have to have at least one pawn, along with your king, as the pawn theoretically could be promoted to a queen, thus allowing you to have sufficient mating material.  Thus, one could be losing a match, but still win on time.

If time expires for both players (assuming the first player who runs out of time doesn’t get called for running out of time), then the match is ruled a draw.  This can happen, especially when the players are very absorbed in studying the board, and lose track of time.

Timer Etiquette in Chess

1. Since white moves first, black gets to select which side of the chess board the timer goes on.

2. When the match begins, black pushes his button first, as this will cause white’s timer to begin counting down time.

3. You should use the same hand to push your timer button that you use to move your chess piece.

4. You should push your timer button immediately after moving your chess piece.  Failure to do so means your clock continues to count down, even though you’ve made your move (a smart opponent who notices your failure to do this could simply act like they are taking a lot of time to ponder a move – YOUR TIME!)

5. It is easy to believe that you should play faster when there’s a timer, but in reality, unless you are playing blitz chess, you will have plenty of time, and remember that most scholastic matches don’t end by time…they end with checkmates or stalemates!  You should be more focused on what you and your opponent are doing on the chess board.

After a few practice matches using a timer, you will get the hang of using one pretty quickly.  Don’t be intimidated by use of the timer.  In fact, once you learn chess notation, you will pretty much get into the habit of making your move, pushing your timer button, and writing down your move without thinking about it.  Your concentration should always be on what’s happening on the chess board!