How to Use a Chess Clock
- 1). Reset the clock. For manual clocks, set the clocks both to midnight/12:00. For digital clocks, reset to 0:00.
- 2). Set the time for your game. If your game time is three hours each, give each player three hours. For two hours, give each player two hours. On mechanical clocks, watch the flags.
- 3). Begin play. Be sure to hit the relay switch as soon as you have completed your move, to preserve as much of your game time as possible.
- 4). Watch to be sure that your opponent does not hit the relay switch too soon. If you are in a chess tournament game and your opponent hits the relay switch too soon, get a tournament director to help with the issue.
- 5). Respect time limits. When your time is up, it is up. Don't try to squeeze more time for the game. At the same time, conserve your time as best as possible to avoid losing on time.
