BEAT THE CLOCK
Likewise some people might question whether or not using a chess clock
is strictly necessary (and, by the way, we'll learn more about chess time
controls in Part Two). Some play modes, such as rated game mode,
might require the use of a clock. I've also seen programs which require
that a clock be set and used, but don't penalize overstepping the time
limit in casual (non-rated) games against the computer.
As with rated games, it's your choice. But I will recommend one case in
which a chess clock should always be used – by players who habitually
and regularly find themselves in time trouble.
I've played scores of tournament games and have only found myself
in time pressure once or twice. On the other hand, I have friends
who've practically made a whole career of it. The time control makes
no difference. Game in 30? They're in time pressure. Forty moves in two
hours? They have four minutes left on the clock and they're only on move
twenty-eight. It's completely ridiculous.
Assuming that you're not some kind of subconscious “adrenaline junky”
and quite literally can't (and will never be able to) help yourself because
you positively crave that rush, you can use your chess program's timed
modes to break yourself of the habit. And it's easier than you might think.
All you have to do is set the clock for a shorter time limit than that of the
tournaments in which you normally play.
The method works, too. I used to direct tournaments which were run at
“game in sixty minutes” time controls. So for the week leading up to a
tournament, I would play all of my practice games against the computer
at “game in forty-five”. Bear in mind that I was never one to usually get in
time trouble anyway, but I found that playing at this slightly accelerated
pace helped me in tournaments – I always had extra time whenever I
needed it; in fact, in most of my games I had well over five minutes on the
clock when the game ended.
So if you're one of those unfortunate souls who seems to always be in
time pressure, use your computer chess software as a tool to help you
break the habit: play faster games at home than you do in tournaments
and, after a while, you'll discover that you seldom end up in time trouble
anymore.
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