Choosing the Perfect Chess Clock for You
In our modern society, we all have many demands made upon us, and keeping control involves efficient use of our time. Chess clocks allow you to be more productive with your chess training and make you a better player.
Before bullet chess, speed was not as important in chess. However, since the introduction of bullet chess, blitz and rapid has become slow games.
Do you want to practice delivering checkmate with two bishops in fifteen seconds during a blitz game, or would you prefer to practice ahead of your game? Because chess players are, for the most part, sensible people who know the value of training, most will like to practice with a chess clock.
The good news is that chess clocks are affordable, user-friendly, and compact enough to travel well. Selecting the correct chess clock for you is dead easy!
What to Look For in Your Chess Clock
The four most essential factors to consider when selecting a chess clock are:
- Buttons – you want them big.
- Display – again, bigger is absolutely better.
- Ease of use – the KISS principle (keep it simple, sweetheart) applies.
- Price – keep your ego in check and stay within budget.
Chess Clocks With Big Buttons Are the Best
Size definitely matters when it comes to the buttons on your chess clock. Undoubtedly, you cannot have buttons that are too easy to press.
Many blitz and rapid games come down to the last few seconds or minute. Saving a fraction of a second off each move might not seem like much, but they add up over the game and can be the difference between delivering a checkmate or not playing that last vital move.
A Large, Crystal-Clear Display Reduces Stress
Big buttons mean you don’t have to look for them after each move. They are easier to strike with your hand, and you can keep your gaze fixed on the board.
Thinking on your opponent’s time is a sound strategy. The sooner you press the button, the more time you save.
Next to big buttons, size is a crucial part of the display. You don’t want to be looking around to find the buttons after each move, and you don’t want to struggle to read how much time you have remaining.
You want a large crystal-clear display that you can read at a glance. There isn’t time for you to reach for your glasses or magnifying glass during a blitz game.
In our modern society, we all have many demands made upon us, and keeping control involves efficient use of our time. Chess clocks allow you to be more productive with your chess training and make you a better player.
Before bullet chess, speed was not as important in chess. However, since the introduction of bullet chess, blitz and rapid has become slow games.
Do you want to practice delivering checkmate with two bishops in fifteen seconds during a blitz game, or would you prefer to practice ahead of your game? Because chess players are, for the most part, sensible people who know the value of training, most will like to practice with a chess clock.
The good news is that chess clocks are affordable, user-friendly, and compact enough to travel well. Selecting the correct chess clock for you is dead easy!
What to Look For in Your Chess Clock
The four most essential factors to consider when selecting a chess clock are:
- Buttons – you want them big.
- Display – again, bigger is absolutely better.
- Ease of use – the KISS principle (keep it simple, sweetheart) applies.
- Price – keep your ego in check and stay within budget.
Chess Clocks With Big Buttons Are the Best
Size definitely matters when it comes to the buttons on your chess clock. Undoubtedly, you cannot have buttons that are too easy to press.
Many blitz and rapid games come down to the last few seconds or minute. Saving a fraction of a second off each move might not seem like much, but they add up over the game and can be the difference between delivering a checkmate or not playing that last vital move.
A Large, Crystal-Clear Display Reduces Stress
Big buttons mean you don’t have to look for them after each move. They are easier to strike with your hand, and you can keep your gaze fixed on the board.
Thinking on your opponent’s time is a sound strategy. The sooner you press the button, the more time you save.
Next to big buttons, size is a crucial part of the display. You don’t want to be looking around to find the buttons after each move, and you don’t want to struggle to read how much time you have remaining.
You want a large crystal-clear display that you can read at a glance. There isn’t time for you to reach for your glasses or magnifying glass during a blitz game.
Chess Clock features - More Are Sometimes Less Merry
Many chess clocks offer several features, and some work with apps to expand the options. If you enjoy using apps, then this is fine with you.
A lot of chess players do not want such a steep learning curve. Why play the London System to save chess training time only to spend extra time learning an app?
Almost every chess clock will allow you to set a time with increments. Be sure to check how easy it is to set the time controls before buying your chess clock.
Why not keep being driven crazy to the positions on the board and not before the game starts? A calm clock-setting experience best balances the complications of the Grunfeld Defense.
Things are different if you host chess tournaments. Then investing time to learn how to use an app can prove worthwhile.
Spending an hour getting familiar with the features will likely save you more time soon.
Pick a Price Before Your Chess Clock
Price is not much of a factor when it comes to chess clocks. Thanks to the competition among the different manufacturers, you can choose from a wide range of affordable and reliable chess clocks.
Of course, you can go from simple and sensible to making a fashion statement with all timepieces. For the most part, if you can keep your ego in check, you can purchase a chess clock for under $50.
Plan ahead and decide on your price before shopping to help lessen the overwhelming feeling. Staying within your means will ensure less stress and buyer’s regret later.
A cheaper chess clock people enjoy using will earn you more compliments than a fancy one that takes an hour to set up.
Consider Choosing From These Two Champion Chess Clocks
For the chess player looking for a chess clock for training, playing with friends, and tournaments, the DGT Easy Plus Timer Digital Chess Clock is a perfect choice at only $39.95!
This chess clock is an upgrade over DGT’s best-selling Easy game Timer. Along with countdown and count-up, you get delay and bonus time modes.
You can set the timer for games up to nine hours and fifty-nine minutes.
The DGT Easy Plus Timer Digital Chess Clock is an attractive chess clock suitable for beginner and chess players looking for a quality, budget-friendly choice.
If you have to program chess clocks for tournaments, make the task effortless with the Tap N Set digital chess clock. You can set this chess clock using an app for Android and IOS devices.
Each clock is instantly set using NFC technology, and the app comes with 70 presets of the most popular US Chess time controls. In addition, it offers Freeze for FIDE-rated events.
You have the option to create your own preset.
Although the Tap N Set saves lots of time when setting twenty or more chess clocks, it helps you save time when setting up your chess clock. You can set this clock manually if you don’t have your smartphone.
Affordably priced at $49.95, the Tap N Set chess clock is an excellent tournament chess clock.
In Conclusion
Chess clocks can help us improve by learning to make better decisions quicker during our games. They can help you practice your time management with training partners or coaches before you play in tournaments.
They also help us stay on track when working on several aspects of our game. If you only have an hour for training and want to practice tactics, openings, and endgames, you can set the clock for fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five minutes.
Chess clocks can help you stick to your daily schedule by ensuring you don’t get so caught up in a chess game that you are late for your next appointment. Losing track of time when playing or studying chess is easy.
Whatever your unique needs, you can feel confident the perfect chess clock is waiting for you.
