US Chess Rule 42A and 42B

[Smythe_Dakota]

@Micah Smith

I agree that a flag is a poorly chosen symbol. … Perhaps there is a better sign than a “*” but I can’t think of one off the top of my head.

Perhaps a double exclam !! or one of the shocked symbols?

Bill Smythe

[Micah_Smith]

@dennisk

In fact, the 2019 US Amateur North (held in conjunction with the North Central Open and blitz tournament) was the last tournament I played in. However, I have never directed a blitz event, nor do I ever intend to. I do know some of the people that were on that TD staff, though. I don’t know why they chose that mode. I do remember that they specifically told us (in the regular tournament) not to set a 30-second increment before move one. When I objected that the FIDE standard (and the default on DGT clocks) was to have the increment before move one, the response was “This is not a FIDE tournament.” At the time, it was somewhat up in the air whether or not US Chess had such a standard.

Due to the “total thinking time” calculations US Chess uses, I would say the “standard” under US Chess rules at the time of the event would have been to have the increment time applied before move one. For example, US Chess considers G/90;inc30 and G/120;d0 to be equivalent based on the “total playing time” the players get for a game that lasts 60 moves. However, this is only the case if for G/90;inc30, the increment time is applied before move one.

Also, as a practical matter, it’s easier if the increment time is applied before move one for several reasons.

1. If the increment time is not applied before move one, clocks that automatically gives the increment time for move one would need to be manually set to 1:29:30;inc30 for G/90;inc30. This is more awkward than having the increment applied before move one and having the clocks that don’t automatically give the increment time for move one manually set to 1:30:30;inc30 for G/90;inc30. The ZMF-II and ZMF-Pro can’t be set for 1:29:30;inc30 since you can only set hours and minutes when setting a time control that has a base time of at least one hour. The Tap N Set can be set for 1:29:30;inc30 if you set it with a compatible smartphone but not if you set the clock manually without a compatible smartphone.

2. Most clocks that have increment presets such as G/90;inc30 automatically give the increment time for move one and you would have to modify the time on these preset modes, if possible, or use another manual setting on these clocks if the increment time isn’t applied before move one.

Now it is clearly spelled out in the US Chess rulebook that the standard is to have the increment applied before move one due to the TD Tip after rule 16B2, new.uschess.org/sites/default/f … -24-20.pdf, which states:

“TD TIP: Not all digital clocks correctly give the increment for move one when you set increment on the clock. For clocks that don’t, the increment time in seconds should be added manually to the base time, if possible, so each player gets the increment for move one. For example, for G/3;inc2, each player gets 3.02 (three minutes and two seconds) to complete move one. If the clock only gives 3.00 for each player’s first move when the clock is set—with a base time of three minutes and increment of two seconds—then, if possible, two seconds should be added to each player’s base time when setting the clock. If a game is started without the increment applied for move one, it is recommended that the TD not allow the clock to be subsequently adjusted to add the increment for move one. This failure to adjust the clock initially should not be allowed as grounds to contest a later time forfeit claim.”

[Smythe_Dakota]

I have an interesting side question about one of those new gray clocks that is somewhat DGT-like but isn’t actually a DGT. (Micah, you’ll probably be able to tell me which clock I’m talking about.)

On the bottom of this clock there are several presets listed. One of these is “G/90:30 inc/30”. Note that the “:30” is explicitly listed. This preset, of course, is a suitable way of setting the clock for G/90 inc/30.

But there is no preset for “G/60:30 inc/30” – or for just “G/60 inc/30” either. So G/60 inc/30 must be programmed manually. When you do this, (1) must the clock be set for G/60:30 inc/30 in order to have the increment for move 1, or (2) will it add the :30 automatically if you just set it for G/60 inc/30?

If (1) is true, the clock is being consistent with its own notation on the bottom, but the person setting the clock must be astute enough to see that he should add the 30 seconds manually. But if (2) is true, then the clock is being inconsistent with itself, so that if you set it manually for G/60:30 inc/30, as an astute person might do, then you would actually end up with G/61 since the clock would add another 30 seconds.

This leads me to believe that the clock manufacturer’s clever decision to list “G/90:30 inc/30” might backfire and create confusion, so that perhaps just listing it as “G/90 inc/30” (but still adding 30 seconds for move 1) might have been a better idea.

Bill Smythe

[Micah_Smith]

I think you might be referring to the Wholesale Chess Advanced Clock.

Option 3 on the bottom of this clock is listed as 1:30:30+30s/m (G/90;inc30). When you select this option, it shows 1:30:30 on both sides of the clock before the game starts. If you hold down the center button to enter the programming to change the base and/or increment time, the clock will change to showing a base time of 1:30:00 on both sides of the clock. To change this to G/60;inc30, change the base time on the left side to 1:00:00. The base time on the right side will automatically change to 1:00:00 as well (you can still change the right side time if you are playing a time odds game). After you scroll past the base time on both sides of the clock. the next screen shows 30 on both sides of the clock which obviously represents the increment. There is obviously no need to adjust these for G/60;inc30 so just scroll past these and then the clock will show 1:00:30 and is all set for G/60;inc30.

I think the reason why option 3 and most of the increment presets are listed with the increment seconds added to the base time is because there are a couple of increment presets that don’t give the increment for move one (and are listed like 1:00:00+20s/m) and listing them like this makes it clear which ones do give the increment for move one and which ones don’t.

[Smythe_Dakota]

@Micah Smith

… I think the reason why option 3 and most of the increment presets are listed with the increment seconds added to the base time is because there are a couple of increment presets that don’t give the increment for move one (and are listed like 1:00:00+20s/m) and listing them like this makes it clear which ones do give the increment for move one and which ones don’t.

Now I’m wondering why they would do that. Why not just always add the increment for move one?

It sounds like they had two sets of warring advisers when they designed the clock.

I like your way of setting G/60 inc/30 though – just start with G/90 inc/30, which does add for move 1, then just change 90 to 60.

Bill Smythe

[Micah_Smith]

I agree it would be better if all the increment presets automatically gave the increment for move one. At least most of the increment presets on the Wholesale Chess Advanced/LEAP pq9912 automatically give the increment for move one. The Leap KK9908, which is FiDE certified, is the same way. On the Pursun-1688/Xflyee clock, about half of the increment presets automatically give the increment for move one. On the VTEK 300, the clock automatically gives the increment for move one if it’s in the Fide mode but not it if it’s in the US Chess or custom modes. Strangly, the manufacturer of the VTEK said at the time the VTEK came out, they were told by a couple of people within US Chess that the players don’t get the increment for move one under US Chess rules. I disagree with this due to the “total playing time” argument I mentioned earlier in this thread. However, now it’s clear the standard is to get the increment for move one under US Chess rules due to the TD Tip after rule 16B2.