Time controls
Time control determines each player’s game time and the time added after every move. Configure it at the second step of creating a tournament, in the selected system settings. Tournament cards display it as, for example, 10 + 5.
It has three related parts: starting time, increment and time control category.
Reading a time control
Starting time
Increment
Time control category
For example, 10 + 5 gives each player 10 minutes for the game and adds 5 seconds after each move. 3 + 0 means three minutes without increment.
The service stores and displays the time control and uses it for rating categories and new matches. It does not run chess clocks or track move times. Use physical clocks, an external online platform or another method chosen by the organizer.
Time control categories
The service suggests a category based on starting minutes. The Based on time hint below the field shows the suggestion.
| Category | Starting time for the suggestion | Example | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet | under 3 minutes | 2 + 1 | very fast games |
| Blitz | 3–5 minutes | 3 + 2 | short club tournaments |
| Rapid | 6–44 minutes | 10 + 5 | the main format for many club tournaments |
| Classic | 45 minutes or more | 60 + 0 | long games with more thinking time |
The suggestion uses only starting minutes, not increment. For example, 2 + 30 still suggests Bullet. Check the category manually if your rules require another one.
You can change the category manually. Until then, it follows changes to starting time. After a manual selection, it stays selected even if the hint suggests another category.
Important
Ratings use the selected category, not the entered game duration.
What time control affects
- Player ratings. Each chess variant has separate Bullet, Blitz, Rapid and Classic ratings. Registration shows the rating for the selected category.
- Rating calculations. Completing a rated tournament recalculates only the corresponding variant and time control rating. Friendly tournaments do not affect ratings. See Ratings.
- Display. Tournament cards, pages, tables and announcements show the time, increment and category icon.
Where to configure it
Swiss and round robin
In Swiss and round-robin tournaments, one time control applies to all regular-stage matches. Enter minutes and increment under Time control, then check the category.
Mixed system
In a mixed tournament, first set the Swiss or round-robin qualification time control. Playoffs offer a Shared time control toggle or a separate time control.
See Playoffs for bracket and series settings.
Choosing and checking the settings
- Decide the actual playing conditions: starting time and increment per move.
- Enter these values in tournament system settings.
- Compare the Based on time hint with your rules and select the category manually if necessary.
- For mixed tournaments, decide whether playoffs share the qualification time control.
- Before starting, check the time control on the confirmation page and announcement.
Tip
Use the same values in the announcement, event rules and settings. State the increment explicitly: 10 + 0 and 10 + 5 are different playing conditions despite identical starting time.
Changing time control after creation
Time control can be changed until matches exist. After games are created, it is locked because they store their category for rating calculations. Make changes before the first pairing.