Scholastic Tournament Information

Increment Time Control for the Varsity Section

How 30-second-increment time control differs from all delay time controls:

·       30 seconds are added to your time, after you hit your clock; they aren’t added to your time, after your opponent hits his clock. 

·       30 seconds run down as a part of your elapsing time; they don’t run down separately, before your time begins elapsing.

·       Your time will increase by however many of the 30 seconds allotted per move you don’t use; the unused seconds don’t lapse between moves.  

·       You are required to record throughout the entire game—no matter how little time you have on your clock.  (This requirement applies to only inc/30+, not to all increment time controls.)  There is no time-pressure exception to recording; that is, you are not excused from recording, when either you or your opponent has fewer than 5 minutes remaining on your clock.

What if you don’t have a clock that supports increment?

·       If your clock does not support increment, but it does support delay, then it should be set to 30-second delay.  You are required to record the entire game.  (The recording requirement for 30-second delay is an MCA variation from standard USCF Rules, permitted by USCF’s authorization of a Tournament Director to exercise discretion regarding minor variations from USCF rules.)

·       If you have only an analog clock, then no extra time will be added to your clock.  You are required to record, until your game is in time pressure.

To learn how to set your clock for increment time controls, read the articleposted at www.mdchess.org (blue Main Menu sidebar: Scholastic Tournaments: Increment Time Control for the Varsity Section).

MCA occasionally lets some Varsity players use its DGT North American digital clocks.  When set for standard increment, these clocks add 30 seconds before a player’s first move.  Adding 30 seconds before a player’s first move is not, however, a universal increment practice.  For example, Chronos, Saitek, and Excalibur clocks fail to add 30 seconds of increment before a player’s first move.  So, if you’re using one of those types of clocks, then you should remember to add 30 seconds to your base time before you begin your game.  (So, at the beginning of a G/45 inc/30 game, where DGT North American clocks should be set for 45 minutes, Chronos, Saitek, and Excalibur clocks should be set for 45 minutes and 30 seconds.)

Click here for written instructions on How to Set Common Digital Chess Clocks for Increment Time Controls.  Go to www.mdchess.org.  On the left-hand side of the home page, locate the blue Main Menu sidebar.Click on “Scholastic Tournaments” and then “How to Set Common Chess Clocks for Increment Time Controls”.

Click here for demonstration videos on How to Set Common Digital Chess Clocks for Increment Time Controls.  Go to www.mdchess.org.  On the left-hand side of the home page, locate the blue Main Menu sidebar.Click on “Chess Links”, then “Miscellaneous”, and then “Learn How to Set Your Chess Clock:…”.

© 2012 John D. Rockefeller V

MCA Scholastic Director

[last updated: 12/30/2012]