Time Controls
What is a time control in chess?
- Clock
- Practical
- Time
Time control is a clock-management term: the allowed time to play a game, usually measured by a chess clock. A time control can require either a certain number of moves be made per time period (e.g. 40 moves in 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 hours) or it can limit the length of the entire game (e.g. five minutes per game for blitz). The practical skill is choosing moves that fit the clock without ignoring tactics.
What to look for on the board
- Clock pressure.
- Whether increment changes risk.
- Simple moves that keep control.
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