Chess Clocks
ICCA Chess Clock Information
This page is intended as a basic listing of most commercially available digital chess clocks. The wide array of digital chess clocks on the market makes it difficult to know which ones to purchase, especially considering the need to meet the standards of the organizations running tournaments. Further, it's often difficult to know how to operate those clocks since there is such a variety of operation protocols, so whenever possible, we've included links to user manuals and How-To videos. This is not an endorsement of any one of those clocks listed below.
Price ranges are standard pricing ranges for current availability. Most of the clocks listed can be purchased from most chess equipment retailers. Check our Links page for recommended chess supply vendors.
Things to keep in mind when purchasing clocks...
IHSA uses a "Simple-Delay" time control (Bronstein Delay is against rules and not allowed) - As a quick tutorial, here's a great video that shows the difference between Bronstein and Simple Delay (Click here)
Durability and Reliability go a long way when dealing with clocks and kids... You get what you pay for.
Players should be able to operate their clocks. Whatever clock you get, make sure your team learns how to operate them.
Be sure to clearly label clocks with your team/school name
Chronos
Price - $100 - $115
Pros
Durable metal construction
Large LED Display
No moving parts
Options for both lights and sounds
Lots of presets and programmable options
Cons
Expensive
Difficult to set/operate
68 page user manual
DGT North American
Price - $35 - $50
Pros
Quiet rocker switch instead of buttons
Easy to set/operate
lots of programmable settings
lots of preset common settings
Option for sound
Very simple Pause/Play feature
Easy to read LED display
Cons
Plastic construction
No Lights indicator
Z-Mart ZMF II Chess Clock
Price - $50 - $60
Pros
Durable plastic construction
No moving parts
Bright LED Display
Options for both lights and sounds
Programmable settings and preset options
Cons
Semi-difficult to set
Some difficulty with early-run Blue LED lights
Z-Mart PRO Digital Chess Clock
Price - $95 - $105
Pros
Durable metal construction
No moving parts
Large LED display
Options for both lights and sounds
Programmable settings and preset options
(Same programming as ZMF-II)
Pros
Semi-difficult to set
Expensive
Indicator lights too close together
DGT 3000
Price - $100 - $115
Pros
THE standard for international chess
Tons of preset and programmable options
Large, clear LED Display
Ability to connect to E-Boards
Quiet rocker switch
Options for sound
Easy to set/operate
Very simple Play/Pause button
Cons
Expensive
No option for lights indicator
VTEK300
Price - $140 - $160
Pros
Many programmable settings
Large, clear LED disply
Easy setup/operation
Displays lots of info
Longer battery life than Chronos
Easy-Access battery compartment
Cons
Expensive
Omcor Chess Clock
- Omcor Chess Clock Manual
- Omcor Chess Clock Video -
- NO manuals or videos could be found online -
Price - $30 - $40
Pros
Small footprint
Inexpensive
Quiet rocker switch
Several programmable options
Several popular preset options
Ability to generate Chess 960 positions
Clear, easy-to-read display
Pros
Semi-flimsy plastic construction
Price $25-$16(bulk)
Pros
Includes Delay & Increment controls
Programmable
Small
Audible alarm option
Inexpensive
Cons
Supports only one time control per game
Cheap plastic construction
Price $40-$31(bulk)
Pros
Supports multiple time controls
Supports increment, standard delay and Byo Yomi modes
Includes 38 pre-programmed timing modes
Programmable (with save function)
Review number of moves in current time control easily
Easy to pause game, edit settings and resume
Color contrast on rocker arm is easy to see at a distance
Audible alarm can be turned on or off
Cons
Cheap plastic construction
DGT 960 Pocket Timer
Price - $40 - $45
Pros
Small, easy to store
Folds closed
Provides Chess 960 setups
Fairly easy to set/operate
No moving parts
Cons
Small clock, display
Display can be difficult to read, depending on lighting
Confusing Display
Uses watch batteries
No lights indicator or player switch (difficult to see who's turn it is)
DGT Easy Plus
Price - $40 - $45
Pros
Fairly easy to set/operate
Rocker switch instead of buttons
Options for sounds
Cons
No programmable presets
Semi-Flimsy Plastic construction
Display can be difficult to read, depending on lighting
Saitek Competition Blue
Price - OOP
Pros
Easy to read display
Several programming options
Ability to store a preset timing option
Options for both lights and sounds
Cons
Out of Production
Toggle switch breaks easily
Semi-difficult to set and store settings
Saitek Competition Pro
Price - OOP
Pros
Easy to read display
Many programming options
Ability to store a preset timing option
Options for both lights and sounds
Metal construction
Cons
Out of Production
Toggle switch breaks easily
Semi-difficult to set and store settings
Saitek Mephisto II
Saitek Mephisto II Video
Price - OOP
Pros
Fairly easy to set/operate
Durable buttons
Clear LED Display
Few moving parts
Cons
Out of Production
Large footprint
Excalibur Timer II
Excalibur Timer II Video
Price - OOP
Pros
Easy to set/operate
Large LED display
Options for sound
Very simple Pause/Play feature
Cons
Out of Production
Plastic construction with parts that often loosen and rattle
Display can be difficult to read, depending on lighting
The following Chess Clocks do not meet the requirements of IHSA
(do not offer Simple Delay Feature)
Pros
Quiet rocker switch instead of buttons
Easy to set/operate
lots of programmable settings
lots of preset common settings
Option for sound
Very simple Pause/Play feature
Easy to read LED display
FIDE standard clock
Cons
Does offer Simple Delay
Plastic construction
No "lights" indicator
Pros
Connects to E-Boards
Quiet rocker switch instead of buttons
Easy to set/operate
lots of programmable settings
lots of preset common settings
Option for sound
Very simple Pause/Play feature
Cons
Does not offer Simple Delay
Out of Production
Expensive
No "lights" indicator
Pros
Very easy to set/operate
Rocker switch instead of buttons
Inexpensive
Options for sounds
Small footprint
Cons
No option for Simple Delay
Pros
Very easy to set/operate
Rocker switch instead of buttons
Inexpensive
Options for sounds
Small footprint
Includes option for "Bonus" (Increment) Time
Cons
No option for Simple Delay
Pros
Fairly easy to set/operate
Rocker switch instead of buttons
Options for sounds
Cons
No option for Simple Delay
Semi-Flimsy Plastic Construction
Leap PQ9907
- No English Language Manuals or videos could be found online -
Price - $10 - $20
Pros
Cheap
Basic clock/timer
Very small footprint
Cons
No option for Simple Delay
Difficult to set/operate
Cheap plastic construction
Very small
Difficult to understand manual
No online resources
Leap PQ9903
- No English Language Manuals or videos could be found online -
Price - $35 - $45
Pros
Programmable
Options for Sounds
Cons
Large footprint
No option for Simple Delay
Difficult to set/operate
Cheap plastic construction
Difficult to understand manual
No online resources