This timepiece has long since become part of everyday life for chess players, with every move. A chess clock is placed immediately next to the chess board. An analog chess clock optically consists of two time displays. Only one movement is in operation at a time. The timers are used to limit the time to think about chess . Developed explicitly for the game of chess, the chess clock can of course also be used in other board games where time is played. Buying chess clocks also makes sense for checkers, for example. A wide variety of models are being tested. The offer includes the chess clock mechanically as well as the chess clock app. Visit paulwallclocks to buy quality decorative wall clocks.
Time limitation made easy – chess clocks and their necessity
Playing chess is a passion that started early. The rules of chess, however, changed over time. In the beginning, chess games were a time-consuming affair because they were played without a time limit. As a result, games could drag on for hours and often had to be interrupted and postponed because the players were much too exhausted to finish the game after the chess players had opened hours ago . A time limit for each move was therefore necessary. With a simple clock you reached your limits, because you had to find a device that measures the times between the games independently of the players.
Chess clocks and their history
Chess players did not know how to limit the playing time until the middle of the 19th century . Back then, chess games lasted an average of nine hours. The first chess clock in history was probably used in 1861. At that time a device made of two hourglasses was used in chess . The chess players had to operate the clocks independently , which turned out to be quite cumbersome. If an hourglass ran out, the game was considered lost.
Tip! Better experiences were made with stopwatches in the late 1860s . Stopwatches worked more precisely and were operated by the referee instead of the player himself, which largely ruled out manipulation. If desired, the hourglasses could still be used by the players at this point.
Another twenty years passed before chess clocks worked mechanically. The first mechanical chess clock was invented by the English watchmaker Thomas Bright Wilson. The construction consisted of two pendulum clocks , which could be stopped alternately by a movably mounted beam. This chess clock premiered at an international chess tournament in London in 1883 . The chess clock with falling leaves was invented in 1899. In 1919 chess clocks with falling leaves became the norm in chess tournaments. After precision mechanical spring clockworks replaced the pendulum clocks and a rocking lever took the place of the movable bar, the foundation stone for the commonly used analog chess clock was laid.
Chess clocks digital – groundbreaking advancement
The first digital chess clocks were developed in the 1980s. A student at the University of Enschede constructed the first electronic model in 1985, which was rated by experts as a very good chess clock. The price alone prevented widespread use. In 1988, the former world chess champion Bobby Fischer patented his chess clock. This was characterized by the specially developed Fischer game mode. The chess players each started with a fixed time to think about it and were given a certain time to think it over for each move made.
The cooling off times differ according to the type of chess game:
- Tournament chess – several hours
- Rapid chess – half an hour
- Blitz chess – about five minutes
- Bullet chess – one to three minutes
The best digital chess clocks are used in renowned tournaments. The test report summaries attest the digital chess clocks some advantages. In this way, the ticking of the clock does not interfere with the game mode and the time is given particularly precisely. The prices compared to mechanical chess clocks are quite high, which discourages hobby chess players in particular from purchasing them.
An overview of the differences between analog and digital chess clocks
Chess players need chess clocks to make each move during a certain amount of time. Which chess clock you ultimately choose is a question of personal preferences and requirements and of course also depends on the price of the equipment.
Here are some differences between digital chess clocks and analog devices:
- Instead of two spring clockworks, only one digital electronic clockwork is used.
- Batteries are used instead of winding the clock.
- Time display in digital form on a liquid crystal screen
- Instead of falling papers, the timeout is indicated by a screen symbol.
- Often, additional time-limit modes are included.
Use chess clocks correctly
The use of chess clocks follows the general rules of chess. The maintenance of the equipment is not the responsibility of the chess player, but the referee. This ensures the functionality and carries out time controls. Where the clock is set up can also be left to the players, but the chess clock must be clearly visible to the referee at all times. When opening the chess players, the player must press the clock with the same hand with which the move is made. The clocks may only be stopped by the referee or the competition director. If the reflection time is exceeded, the game is usually considered to be lost.
Advantages and disadvantages of a chess clock
- analog and digital available
- also available with thinking time modes
- large selection
- no
An overview of some types of chess clocks
Playing chess without a chess clock is not possible in professional chess. Therefore, the range of chess clocks is quite diverse. Manufacturers such as Rolland, Queen, Silver or Ruhla determine the range. The best chess clocks do not necessarily come with software; analog models also have the best experience reports and recommendations.
| Model | Hints |
| Chess clock DGT 2010 | The chess clock DGT 2010 is one of the officially approved models for competitions. The LCD display is large and clear. The design ensures a high level of stability. A warning tone sounds if the time is exceeded. The watch has a low power consumption and is sold with a two-year guarantee. |
| Philos | Chess clocks from Philos are of particularly high quality. Since the chess clock works mechanically, no batteries are needed. Chess clocks from Philos can be ordered by mail order and are particularly visually appealing thanks to their wooden housing. |
| Chess clock DGT 3000 | The improved functions of the chess clock DGT 3000 make playing chess even more comfortable. 25 time controls can be preset. The large display is very user-friendly. The manufacturer has a five-year guarantee. |
| GARDE | The former world championship chess clock has made playing chess comfortable at many international tournaments. The large format of the clock makes it easy to read the time. The running clock is indicated by a rotating star. |
| Jerger | Jerger chess clocks have a long tradition. Wilhelm Jerger began manufacturing watches at the beginning of the 20th century. The company made history with its Olympic model. In the 1980s, a less expensive plastic watch was brought out. |
Chess and chess clocks are inextricably linked. If you want to follow the rules of chess, then it depends on the time to think about it and this is reliably displayed by a chess clock after each move. Buying a chess clock can also make sense in the private sector. The game of chess with friends gets an official and representative character. The comparison winner does not necessarily have to be purchased. A price comparison shows that even quite inexpensive models certainly fulfill their purpose and awaken the passion for gaming.
