Print this and keep it in your chess bag. Reference it when setting up the clock before a round.

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Reading a Time Control

Time controls are written in shorthand. Here is how to read them:

Notation	Meaning
G/30 d5	Each player gets 30 minutes total. After each move, 5 seconds are added back (delay).
G/60 d5	Each player gets 60 minutes total. After each move, 5 seconds are added back (delay).
G/30 inc 30	Each player gets 30 minutes total. After each move, 30 seconds are added to that player’s clock (increment).
40/90 SD/30 inc 30	Each player gets 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 more minutes for the rest of the game. 30-second increment added after every move throughout.
G/15 inc 10	Each player gets 15 minutes total. After each move, 10 seconds are added (increment). Common at scholastic events.
G/90 inc 30	Each player gets 90 minutes total. After each move, 30 seconds are added (increment). Standard for FIDE-rated games.

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Delay vs Increment — What’s the Difference?

Feature	Delay	Increment
How it works	Clock waits before counting down	Time is added after each move
Example	d5 = clock waits 5 seconds before starting	inc 30 = 30 seconds added after you press
Time bank grows?	No — unused delay is lost	Yes — unused increment accumulates
USCF default	Delay is the USCF standard	Increment used in FIDE events
Good for beginners?	Yes — simpler to understand	Can lead to longer games

Key point: With delay, if you move within the delay period, no time is deducted. With increment, time is always added after your move regardless of how fast you played.

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Common USCF Time Controls

Control	Used for
G/30 d5	Scholastic one-day events, quick rounds
G/45 d5	Scholastic longer events
G/60 d5	Club and open tournaments
G/90 d5	Longer club and state championships
40/2 SD/1 d5	Traditional format — 2 hrs for 40 moves, then 1 hr for rest
G/15 inc 10	Blitz/quick scholastic events

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Setting a DGT North American Clock

For G/30 with 5-second delay:

1. Press and hold both buttons until display activates
2. Select Game Time → set to 0:30:00
3. Select Delay (not Increment) → set to 5
4. Confirm and start

For G/60 with 5-second delay:

1. Game Time → 1:00:00
2. Delay → 5
3. Confirm

For increment (e.g., G/90 inc 30):

1. Game Time → 1:30:00
2. Select Increment → set to 30
3. Confirm

Exact steps vary slightly by DGT model. See the full DGT setup guide at ChessTournamentGuide.com/gear/how-to-set-a-dgt-chess-clock/

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Setting a Chronos Clock

For G/30 d5:

1. Press MODE to enter setup
2. Set time to 30:00 for each side
3. Set bonus type to DELAY
4. Set delay to 5 seconds
5. Exit setup

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Quick Reference — What to Ask if Unsure

If the tournament announcement lists a time control you don’t recognize, ask the TD:

• “Is this delay or increment?”
• “Which clock model should I use?”
• “Can you show me the correct setting?”

TDs set clocks before major rounds and are happy to help beginners.

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Clock Etiquette Reminders

• Press the clock with the same hand used to move the piece
• Do not hover your hand over the clock before moving
• Do not bang the clock
• If the clock malfunctions mid-game, stop and raise your hand — do not adjust it yourself
• Both players are responsible for ensuring the clock is set correctly before the game begins

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From Chess Tournament Guide — ChessTournamentGuide.com