What Is the Purpose of a Chess Clock?

The chess clock sits right beside the board.

A chess clock, otherwise known as a "game clock," is a standard timepiece associated with the game of chess. Its main purpose is to prevent either player from stalling or delaying the game for an inordinate amount of time.

Appearance

Chess clocks have two faces or readouts side-by-side, one for each player. As of 2010, they are available in both analog and digital formats. Each side has a top button for the corresponding player to press at the end of his turn.

Function

Before play begins, players decide on a specific amount of time to be set on the clocks. Since white always moves first, black starts the match by pressing the top button on his clock, which begins counting down the seconds and minutes on white's clock. At the end of white's turn, he presses the button on his clock, which in turn starts black's clock. In this way, the game clock tells players and spectators whose turn it is, how much time each player has spent on the game so far, and the amount of time each player has left.

Effects

Play continues until checkmate is reached by either player, a stalemate occurs, or either player's clock runs out. As soon as a player's game clock reaches the end of its allotted time, the opposing player is declared the winner.

References

• Monroi: Chess Clocks
• Wholesale Chess: How to Use a Chess Clock