Pawns, Knights, Bishops, Rooks, Queens & the Kings!
Article 6: The chess clock |
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| 6.1 | ‘Chess clock’ means a clock with two time displays, connected to each other in such a way that only one of
them can run at one time. ‘Clock’ in the Laws of Chess means one of the two time displays. Each time display has a ‘flag’. ‘Flag fall’ means the expiration of the allotted time for a player. |
6.2 a |
When using a chess clock, each player must make a minimum number of moves, or all moves, in an
allotted period of time and/or may be allocated an additional amount of time with each move. All these
factors must be specified in advance. |
6.2 b |
The time saved by a player during one period is added to his time available for the next period, except in the ‘time delay’ mode. In the time delay mode both players receive an allotted ‘main thinking time’. Each player also receives a‘fixed extra time’ with every move. The countdown of the main time only commences after the fixed time has expired. Provided the player stops his clock before the expiration of the fixed time, the main thinking time does not change, irrespective of the proportion of the fixed time used. |
| 6.3 | Immediately after a flag falls, the requirements of Article 6.2.a must be checked. |
| 6.4 | Before the start of the game the arbiter decides where the chess clock is placed. |
| 6.5 | At the time determined for the start of the game the clock of the player who has the white pieces is started. |
| 6.6 a | Any player who arrives at the chessboard after the start of the session shall lose the game. Thus the default time is 0 minutes. The rules of a competition may specify otherwise. |
| 6.6 b | In case the rules of a competition specify otherwise, if neither player is present initially, the player who has the white pieces shall lose all the time that elapses until he arrives; unless the rules of the competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise. |
| 6.7 a | During the game each player, having made his move on the chessboard, shall stop his own clock and
start his opponent’s clock. A player must always be allowed to stop his clock. His move is not
considered to have been completed until he has done so, unless the move ends the game. (See the
Articles 5.1.a, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c and 9.6) The time between making the move on the chessboard and stopping his own clock and starting his opponent’s clock is regarded as part of the time allotted to the player. |
6.7 b |
A player must stop his clock with the same hand as that with which he made his move. It is forbidden for a player to keep his finger on the button or to ‘hover’ over it. |
6.7 c |
The players must handle the chess clock properly. It is forbidden to punch it forcibly, to pick it up or to knock it over. Improper clock handling shall be penalised in accordance with Article 13.4. |
6.7 d |
If a player is unable to use the clock, an assistant, who must be acceptable to the arbiter, may be provided by the player to perform this operation. His clock shall be adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way. |
6.8 |
A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes the fact or when either player has made a valid claim to that effect. |
| 6.9 | Except where one of the Articles: 5.1.a, 5.1.b, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c applies, if a player does not complete the prescribed number of moves in the allotted time, the game is lost by the player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves. |
6.10 a |
Every indication given by the clocks is considered to be conclusive in the absence of any evident defect. A chess clock with an evident defect shall be replaced. The arbiter shall replace the clock and use his best judgement when determining the times to be shown on the replacement chess clock. |
6.10 b |
If during a game it is found that the setting of either or both clocks was incorrect, either player or the arbiter shall stop the clocks immediately. The arbiter shall install the correct setting and adjust the times and move counter. He shall use his best judgement when determining the correct settings. |
| 6.11 | If both flags have fallen and it is impossible to establish which flag fell first then |
| 6.11 a | the game shall continue if it happens in any period of the game except the last period. |
| 6.11 b | the game is drawn if it happens in the period of a game in which all the remaining moves must be completed. |
| 6.12 a | If the game needs to be interrupted, the arbiter shall stop the clocks. |
| 6.12 b | A player may stop the clocks only in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, for example when promotion has taken place and the piece required is not available. |
| 6.12 c | The arbiter shall decide when the game is to be restarted in either case. |
| 6.12 d | If a player stops the clocks in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, the arbiter shall determine if the player had any valid reason for doing so. If it is obvious that the player has no valid reason for stopping the clocks, the player shall be penalised according to Article 13.4. |
6.13 |
If an irregularity occurs and/or the pieces have to be restored to a previous position, the arbiter shall use his best judgement to determine the times to be shown on the clocks. He shall also, if necessary, adjust the clock’s move counter. |
| 6.14 | Screens, monitors, or demonstration boards showing the current position on the chessboard, the moves and the
number of moves made, and clocks which also show the number of moves, are allowed in the playing hall. However, the player may not make a claim relying solely on information shown in this manner. |
FIDE Laws of Chess ------see----- How to Play Chess |
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Comments:The Arbiter can tell about the flag fall (Article 6.9) The Arbiter has the right to place the clock on either side (Article 6.4) |
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