Chess Clock Chess time controls explained, and how to set any of them
A time control says how much time each player has and whether time is added per move. Blitz uses a few minutes each, rapid a bit more, classical an hour or longer. Chess Clock has four ready and lets you save any other in a few taps.
Chess time control notation
Controls are written as minutes plus seconds per move: 5+0 is five minutes each with nothing added, 3+2 adds two seconds per move, 90+30 is ninety minutes plus thirty seconds per move. Exact category boundaries vary between organisations, so treat the names below as the app's labels, not a rulebook.
The four built-in time controls
| Preset | Base time | Added per move | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz 3+2 | 3 min | 2 s | Fischer Increment |
| Blitz 5+0 | 5 min | none | Sudden Death |
| Rapid 10+0 | 10 min | none | Sudden Death |
| Classical 90+30 | 90 min | 30 s | Fischer Increment |
Built-in presets cannot be edited or deleted. To change one, save a custom control instead.
What does 90+30 mean here?
Classical 90+30 gives each player 90 minutes for the whole game plus 30 seconds after every move. A first move of two minutes leaves 1:28:30. The row also shows 40 moves as a Move limit label; it is display only and adds no time at move 40. Multi-stage controls, such as extra time after move 40, are not supported.
How to save a custom time control
Say your club plays 15+10. The increment field is under Timing Mode, not Base Time, which is easy to miss the first time. Save it once and it is one tap away every week after that.
- On the home list, tap the + button in the toolbar, or Build Your Own Time Control if the Custom section is empty.
- Type a Name, for example Club 15+10.
- Under Base Time, set Minutes to 15 and Seconds to 0.
- Under Timing Mode, open Mode and choose Fischer Increment.
- Set Increment (seconds) to 10. Optionally add a label in the Optional field.
- Tap Save. The preset appears under Custom with the summary 15 min + 10s.
To change it later, tap it and choose Edit Time Control on the Setup screen. To remove it, swipe the row or use Delete Preset.
What you can and cannot set
| Setting | Range |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 0 to 180 |
| Seconds | 0 to 55, in steps of 5 |
| Increment (seconds) | 0 to 60, whole seconds |
| Delay (seconds) | 0 to 60, whole seconds |
The base time must be more than zero. Both players always get the same control, so there is no way to give one side more time.
How long will the game take on the clock?
Over 40 moves each, the most time a player can use is the base plus 40 increments. For 15+10 that is 21:40 per player, 43:20 for both. For 90+30 it is 1:50:00 per player and 3:40:00 for both. Real games run longer with pauses and set-up, and many last more than 40 moves.
Tips for choosing a control
- Beginners and kids usually enjoy 10+0 or longer, so they have time to look at the board.
- Adding an increment stops games from being decided only by who moves fastest at the end.
- Put the move-limit label to use as a reminder of an agreed rule; the app will not enforce it.
Questions and answers
What is the time control for blitz chess?
Can I set 15+10 on the app?
Does the app add time after move 40?
How many custom time controls can I save?
You might also like
- Fischer increment in chess: what 3+2 and 15+10 mean · Chess Clock
More Chess Clock guides
- How to use a chess clock, step by step
- Fischer increment in chess: what 3+2 and 15+10 mean
- Chess increment vs delay: Fischer, Bronstein and US delay compared
- See your time per move in chess, move by move
- A two-player turn timer for board games
- What chess timer settings suit kids?
- Why is my chess clock counting up?
- How to pause a chess clock
- All questions about Chess Clock
- Back to Chess Clock