Chess Clock

Fourteen built-in time controls, custom settings, and Fischer increment support for serious or casual games.

Quick answer

What is the Chess Clock?

A full-featured chess clock that runs in your browser. Pick a standard time control or set your own, then tap your side of the board to pass the turn. Increment time is added automatically after each move, and supported browsers can request a screen wake lock while the clock is running.

How to Use the Chess Clock

Choose a preset such as 3+2 or 10+0, or set custom minutes and increment seconds.
Tap either side of the clock, or the Start button, to begin the game.
After making your move, tap your own side of the clock to pass the turn to your opponent.
Use Pause to stop both clocks, then Resume to continue.
Tap Reset to return both clocks to the starting time.

What You Can Use It For

Over-the-board chess at home, in clubs or in parks
Blitz and bullet games where every tenth of a second counts
Shogi, Go and other two-player abstract strategy games
Timed turns in board games to stop analysis paralysis
Debate practice and timed classroom activities

Tips for Using the Chess Clock

Choose a time control that leaves enough time to learn the interface before a serious match.
Keep the clock between both players and tap your own side only after completing your move.
Use increment for longer casual games so a close finish is less likely to become a scramble.

Understanding time controls

A time control written as 3+2 means each player starts with 3 minutes and gains 2 seconds after every move they complete. This is called Fischer increment, and it prevents games from being decided purely by who can move their hand fastest at the end. Formats with no increment, like 5+0, are pure sudden death: when your time runs out, you lose.

Which preset should I choose?

Bullet (1+0) is extremely fast and best for experienced players. Blitz (3+2 and 5+0) suits casual competitive games that finish in under fifteen minutes. Rapid controls (10+0, 10+5 and 15+10) leave room for real thinking, and Classical (30+0) suits serious games where accuracy matters more than speed.

Does the screen stay on?

When Keep screen awake is enabled, the clock requests a screen wake lock in browsers that support it, so your phone can stay awake mid-game. If wake-lock support is unavailable or the request fails, the clock continues timing normally. Time is tracked from the system clock rather than a frame counter, so the remaining time stays accurate even if the browser throttles background work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Chess Clock presets are available?

Fourteen built-in presets are grouped into Bullet, Blitz, Rapid, and Classical controls: 1+0, 1+1, 2+1, 3+0, 3+2, 5+0, 5+3, 10+0, 10+5, 15+10, 25+10, 30+0, 45+15, and 60+30. You can also set a custom time and increment.

How does the chess clock increment work?

The increment adds time to your own clock after each move you complete. In a 3+2 game each player starts with 3 minutes and gains 2 seconds per move, which stops games being decided purely by hand speed.

How do I switch turns on the Chess Clock?

After making your move, tap your own side of the clock. That stops your timer and starts your opponent's. The active side is highlighted so it is clear whose turn it is.

What happens when chess clock time runs out?

The clock stops and the other player is shown as the winner. On phones that support it you will also feel a vibration alert.

Does the screen stay on during a chess game?

While a game is running, the clock requests a screen wake lock in supported browsers. If wake-lock support is unavailable or the request fails, the clock continues timing normally.

Have more questions? See the full FAQ