A chess clock limits the total thinking time each player may use in a game. A player whose time runs out loses, provided the opponent has mating material. Tournaments are grouped by time control, and FIDE keeps separate ratings for each format.

Formats

• Classical: usually more than 60 minutes per player. A common control is 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move. It allows deep thinking and is the format of serious events and norms.
• Rapid: between 10 and 60 minutes per player, for example 15 minutes + 10 seconds. Very common at weekend events.
• Blitz: under 10 minutes per player, such as 3+2 or 5+3.
• Bullet: under 3 minutes; mostly played online and rare in official events.

Increment and delay

An increment is time added to a player's clock after each move. '90+30' means 90 minutes to start with 30 seconds added per move. Increments prevent winning positions from being lost purely on time. Some clocks use 'delay' instead: the clock only starts counting down after a set number of seconds per move.

Basic clock rules

• Press the clock with the same hand you used to make the move.
• Your opponent's time does not run until you press the clock; forgetting is a common mistake.
• When a flag falls, the opponent or the arbiter claims it.
• Classical games may have controls that add time after a set number of moves (for example +30 minutes after move 40).

How to play each format

• Classical: think long at critical moments and save time in simple positions; spread your time evenly to avoid time trouble.
• Rapid: choose openings you know well and do a quick safety check every move.
• Blitz: familiar plans and quick, solid moves; avoid complicated calculation.
• In every format: if your position looks lost but your opponent is short of time, keep fighting.

💡 When choosing an event, look at the time control: classical games are more valuable for improvement because you have time to see your mistakes. In the mytourneys calendar you can filter tournaments by type (open, rapid, blitz).