Question: let’s say that the time control is 90 minutes with a 30 second increment. Neither side has an increment capable clock, and no increment capable clock is available. How would (a) a clock with delay be properly set, and (b) an analog clock be set?
Rule 5F2 govens this situation.
If the delay-capable clock can be set for a delay of thirty seconds (most such clocks can’t, I think), do so. Otherwise, set the delay for the maximum possible value and use that. Set the analog clock to 4:30, so that each player has ninety minutes to complete the game.
If the organizer wishes to handle analog clocks differently (a different time control for analog clocks), that needs to be stated clearly in all advance tournament publicity.
Ken,
The most common delay-only clock is the blue Saitek. It can be set to 30 second delay. There are some less common ones that only do 5-second delay.
Mike Regan
The Blue Saitek is exactly the one I’m worried about. We have a lot of them floating around in Omaha, so I’m glad to know that the delay can be set to 30 seconds.
The real problem with the Blue Saiteks running on 30-second delay for increment is that these clocks count down the 30-second delay without showing the base time. This is not really a problem until a sudden-death situation (especially with seconds on the base time), you do not know the base time unless you move in under 30-seconds to reveal the base-time or think more than 30-seconds after which the base time starts counting down.
Chris Kim
Yes, that’s definitely one of my least favorite features on this clock.
Bill Smythe
Any suggestions for how to best program the Blue Saiteks in that case?
Set the delay for 30 seconds (the length of the increment). There is no way of programming the Saitek not to alternate between showing the delay countdown and the base time countdown.
In general it is a good thing that it shows the delay countdown. I much prefer this over the DGT clocks that don’t show the delay at all when using normal delays such as 5 or 10 seconds. But, with a 30 second delay I can see where this could be confusing. Of course, I’d much rather the black Saitek Pro that can properly handle increments.
Or, just go back to the old, old Saitek, which used Bronstein instead of “straight” delay. Then you always knew exactly how much time you had left before the forfeit.
Some players prefer “straight” delay over Bronstein, but I have a hunch many of them will change their minds the first time they have to play with a 30-second delay on a Saitek.
Bill Smythe