Hypothetical situation; two players each have their own type of clock, with one player having a digital clock with a time delay function and the other player having an analog clock. Can either player insist that the clock they want to use must be used during their match? What happens if the disagreement can’t be resolved?
If there is an SD time control and a delay, that clock is used (as long as the players know how to set the delay). If the analog player is on time and starts the analog clock then it can be replaced by the digital (with elapsed time) as long as that player hasn’t made a move.
If there is no SD time control then black gets the choice (though if black is late and white starts the clock and makes a move then that clock continues to be used).
Thank you for your response. So in a chess match with game 60 minute time controls, the player using the black pieces is the one who can insist on which type of clock to use, either a digital or analog clock?
What is the rule number regarding this? I’d like to be able to quote it as this situation arose in a tournament game recently and the Tournament Director apparently wasn’t aware of this rule.
If this is a USCF rated game, unless the event is advertised and announced as not using any increment or delay setting, there is a standard delay setting that should be used, hence the delay-capable clock becomes preferred equipment.
If this is a rated event, but not a USCF advertised event (such as an arranged match between two players), part of the arrangements should be to agree upon the time control to be used, including the increment/delay setting, since that will be needed when reporting the game for rating anyway.
It is also worth noting that under the 2012 time control rules the delay/increment setting used could affect whether a G/60 event is dual ratable or not.
It seems likely that the original poster does not have a copy of the rulebook.
It depends on how the time control was advertised. If it was specifically advertised as G/60, with no delay, then black gets the choice of clock. If, on the other hand, a delay is to be used, which is the new default position, then the clock that is capable of using delay must be used.
On some level, this is just common sense. You have to use a clock that is actually capable of keeping time in accordance with the rules that are in use at that particular event. If there is a time delay in use, then you have to use a clock that is capable of a time delay. However, if common sense is in short supply, the 2012 rules changes cover this explicitly.
And if it can’t be resolved, that’s what TDs are for… If, after being told what the rules are, one player insists on doing something else (i.e. using his analog clock even though the rules specify time delay) then then that player is refusing to play by the rules, and he forfeits.
Game 60 is a sudden death (SD) time control and the standard rules apply. If one player has a digital clock with delay set and the other has an analog clock, then the digital has preference regardless of color. Black has the choice if the players have the equivalent type of clock.
Mr. Wiewel’s last sentence applies only to tournaments like 30/60, 30/30 with the 30/30 repeating infinitely. They are pretty rare these days.
Michael Aigner
As it happens, the aforementioned Mr. Wiewel currently deals with games like that, among many others.