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Zeno Tournament Chess Clock

Tournament Timer

Preset: 90+30 — a standard classical tournament format

minutes / side
seconds / move

Tap a clock face to pass the move. First to run out of time loses.

Playing Classical Tournament Chess

Classical (standard) chess is played with 60 minutes or more per player. The most common FIDE-rated setting is 90 minutes for the whole game plus a 30-second increment from move one, written as 90+30. Many round-robin events add an extra 30 minutes after move 40, but 90+30 is the everyday standard at open tournaments around the world.

This tournament chess clock opens pre-set to 90+30 and supports the three timing methods you will meet in official play: Fischer increment, Bronstein delay and simple (US) delay. That makes it useful for practice games at home, for club events without enough physical clocks, and for teaching new players how serious time controls work.

How to Run a Tournament Game

  • Check the time control in your event rules and set the base minutes and increment or delay.
  • US Chess events often use delay, for example 5 seconds (G/90;d5). Choose Delay mode for that.
  • Place the clock on the side chosen by the arbiter, usually so Black decides which side it sits on.
  • Press Begin Game when the round starts; no time runs until the first tap.
  • Use +15s to add time if an arbiter awards it after a claim or a penalty.

Time Management in Long Games

A useful rule of thumb in 90+30 is to reach move 20 with about an hour left and move 40 with at least 15 minutes left. Spend your time on critical moments such as pawn breaks, sacrifices and transitions to the endgame, and move quickly in positions you know. The 30-second increment means you will never be left with nothing, but a long endgame played only on increment is hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard FIDE classical time control?

The most widely used setting is 90 minutes for the game plus 30 seconds per move from move one. Some events use 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 more minutes with the same increment.

What is the difference between delay and increment?

Increment adds time after each move so your clock can grow. Delay only protects the first few seconds of each move and never adds to your total time.

Can I use a phone as a clock in an official tournament?

Rated tournaments normally require approved physical clocks, but this clock is ideal for practice games, casual club events and training.

How long does a 90+30 game last?

A 40-move game uses up to about 3 hours and 20 minutes of clock time, and long games can last four hours or more.

Other Chess Clock Formats

Every format has its own pre-set clock: Bullet 1+0, Blitz 3+2, Blitz 5+0, 10 Minute Rapid, Rapid 15+10, 30 Minute Rapid and the Tournament Clock 90+30. Or set any time control you like on the main online chess clock.