How to Set a DGT Chess Clock for Tournament Play

Before You Start

Always program your clock at home before the tournament — not at the board when the round is about to start. A rushed setup under tournament pressure is how errors happen.

Verify:

• The clock is charged or has fresh batteries
• You know the time control for the event (check the tournament announcement)
• You’ve done a quick test run to confirm the settings are correct

Common Time Controls You’ll Need to Program

Event type	Typical time control	What it means
Scholastic G/30	G/30 d5	30 min each, 5-sec delay
Scholastic G/45	G/45 d5	45 min each, 5-sec delay
Classical weekend	G/90 +30	90 min + 30-sec increment
G/60 with delay	G/60 d5	60 min each, 5-sec delay

Delay vs Increment:

• Delay (d5): Before your clock starts counting down, you get 5 free seconds. If you move within 5 seconds, no time is deducted. USCF standard.
• Increment (+30): After each move, 30 seconds are added to your clock. FIDE and some open events.

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DGT North American: Setup Instructions

The DGT North American is the most common tournament clock in US scholastic and club events.

Step 1: Turn On

Press and hold the SET button (middle top) until the clock turns on. The display will show the current time setting.

Step 2: Access Game Mode Setup

Press SET briefly. The left side of the display will flash, indicating you can adjust the left player’s time.

Step 3: Set Time for Player 1 (Left Side)

• Use the + and − buttons to set the minutes
• Press SET again to move to seconds (if needed)
• Press SET again when finished with left-side time

Step 4: Set Delay or Increment for Player 1

• After setting time, the display will show a delay/increment setting (often shown as “d” for delay or “i” for increment)
• Use + and − to set the delay (e.g., 5 for 5-second delay)
• Press SET to confirm

Step 5: Set Time for Player 2 (Right Side)

Repeat steps 3–4 for the right player. For standard settings, both sides are the same.

Step 6: Confirm and Start

Press SET to finalize settings. The clock should now display the starting time on both sides.

Important: White always starts the clock by pressing the button on White’s side, which starts Black’s time first. The player with the White pieces controls the clock placement.

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DGT 2010: Setup Instructions

The DGT 2010 uses a similar but slightly different menu system.

Quick Setup via Preset (Recommended)

The DGT 2010 comes with several preset time controls.

1. Press and hold GAME until the clock beeps
2. Use UP and DOWN arrows to scroll through presets
3. Common preset names include “30 min delay 5,” “45 min delay 5,” etc.
4. Press GAME to confirm

Manual Setup

If you need a time control not in the presets:

1. Hold GAME until the display flashes
2. Select “Manual” using arrow keys
3. Set minutes using UP/DOWN for Player 1
4. Press GAME to move to delay/increment setting
5. Set delay seconds
6. Repeat for Player 2
7. Press GAME to confirm and activate

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DGT 3000: Setup Instructions

Older model, still commonly used. Slightly different button layout.

1. Press MODE to cycle through time control options, or hold MODE to access settings
2. Use the TIME button to adjust values
3. + and − buttons adjust individual digits
4. Confirm with START/STOP

The DGT 3000 manual is available in PDF from DGT’s website — worth bookmarking if this is your clock.

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How to Verify Your Settings Are Correct

Before leaving for the tournament:

1. Set the clock to your intended time control
2. Press the White side button (simulating White making a move)
3. Watch: does Black’s clock count down? Does the delay (or increment) function correctly?
4. Let a few seconds pass, then press Black’s button
5. Watch White’s clock — does it behave as expected?
6. Reset and verify the settings are retained after restart

For delay: you should see the count start from the delay amount (e.g., 5, 4, 3…) before the main time begins to decrease.

Who Sets Up the Clock?

Under USCF rules, the player with the White pieces generally places and sets up the clock, but both players have the right to verify the time control is correct.

If a time control discrepancy is found mid-game, stop play and call the tournament director. Do not try to fix it yourself.

Common Setup Mistakes

Setting increment instead of delay (or vice versa). These are different. G/30 d5 means delay; G/90 +30 means increment. Know which your tournament uses.

Not testing before leaving home. The settings look right on the display but behave incorrectly when the clock runs. Always do a live test.

Forgetting to bring the clock. It’s the most commonly forgotten tournament item. Pack it the night before.

Dead battery at the tournament. Check the battery level when you pack. Bring a spare set.

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Related: Best Chess Clock for Tournament Play | What to Bring to a Chess Tournament

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring a clock to every tournament?

Not always, but it's strongly recommended. Organizers typically provide clocks for boards that don't have one, but you'll have less control over what clock you use. Having your own DGT North American or DGT 3000 means you can set it up correctly and won't have to wait.

Can I use any chess set in a tournament?

Typically no — for rated games, the organizer provides a standard set. You don't need to bring your own set unless the tournament specifically requires it (very rare at scholastic events). You do need to bring your own clock.

What is the difference between DGT North American and DGT 3000?

The DGT North American is the most common tournament clock in the US and is well-supported. The DGT 3000 is an older model, still valid but gradually being replaced. For new purchases, the DGT North American or DGT 2010 are the recommended choices.