Tempo Game Clock : User's Guide
Contents
Language
Product HomeTime Controls Overview
Page BottomWhat is a Time Control?
The time control governs the clock behavior. All time control attributes are preset when you pick a game type via
File - Select Game Type
or load a
Favorite
game. Unless you want to create your own custom time control, you will simply need to set the period length after selecting the game type. After making any change to the time control, you need to click the
Reset
button on the
Game
toolstrip
A time control is composed of one or more periods. There are two types of period timers (Gong and Standard). Each period has its own set of attributes. Change the current
Period Length
from the
Period
toolstrip. The Period Editor allows for setting all the period attibutes.
Period toolstrip
In the simplest approach, each player is given one Period of time in which they must make all moves. However, in tournament play, there are often multiple periods, each with its own period length in hours and minutes. There is generally a rest break between periods. When a player's move starts, her clock will begin to count down. It is important thing to remember is that you must press the
Move to Next Player
key (spacebar) after you have moved to stop your clock. Your opponent has no obligation to inform you when you forget to do this. You can see the values set for the current Time Control (all periods) by clicking
View -- Properties
..
To Page TopGong Period Timer
A Gong Period is a very simple time method. On each move, a player's clock is reset to a fixed amount of time (the Period Length). If the player's clock expires before she makes a move, she loses the game. Unused time is not carried forward to her next move. The period length is usually set to a short amount of time (10 to 30 seconds is typical). It is often referred to as a Blitz game.
Standard Period Timer
Each player clock is credited with the Period Length at the start of the period. On each move, the player's clock time continues to drain down until the player indicates her move is completed (by pressing the spacebar). A period ends when one player's clock runs out of time (00:00). Depending on game time control rules, different things can happen at the end of a period. The player may lose on time rules. The player's clock may automatically advance to the next period. Or both player clocks may stop.
Time Controls Attributes
The Time Control has attributes that apply to all periods. For example, unused time can be carried forward to the next period in a multi-period game. Or the next period may automatically start when a period ends. For some game types, player's take a rest break between periods. You can add as many periods as you want, but even tournament play rarely exceeds 3 periods. If you want to create custom time controls, see Editing a Time Control.
Period Attributes
Each Period can be customized. See the Period Editor for a complete list of the period attributes that can be set. Generally, all you need to change is the period length because all periods attributes are preset when you pick a game type.
