Ok this is a cool idea and probably quite easy to implement, I'm not sure whether it's a new idea altogether or would just be new here.

It comes in the form of a new time constraint, what happens is that each player starts off with, say, 20 seconds on their clock and the time it takes you to move is added to your opponents clock so that the sum of the two clocks is always equal to 40 seconds. 

Let me know what you think and if there is enough support hopefully we can get this on Erik's ever increasing to-do list.

EDIT:  A bit like a sand timer being turned over after every move.

cheers.

Unless that is an officially recognised time control, it will not be implemented.

'Hourglass' Time controls aren't unheard of by any means but I'm not personally a fan.  And I really wouldn't look forward to answering hundreds of questions about 'cheating clocks' .

lol ih8sen, people moan about anything, 

I like this idea! It would be nice to heve it here on chess.com

The moment chess.com stops initiating new features just because people are too dumb to understand them will be a sad day for all...  I see your point though, it would have to be made clear.

I would think you'd have to start with more than 40 seconds.  If you took 39 seconds to make a move, the other guy could make any move he wanted and you'd time out.

Thus, there would be an incentive not to take 39 seconds to make a move.

Then it ceases to be making the best move, and merely not making the biggest mistake.  I'm not saying it's a bad idea. 

Broze,

I really like the idea. Providing it wasn't made the default time control I don't see any problems. Any new twist to make the game more exciting should be welcomed. Imagine the excitement.... a countdown timer every move! almost chess meets quiz show.

Ray.

From Wikipedia:

Hourglass
Each player's clock starts with a specified time (eg 1 minute, 10 min etc). While Player 1 is deciding on their move, their clock time is decreasing and Player 2's clock time is increasing. This is similar to how an hourglass works, sand empties from one container, and fills into the other. Moving slowly gives your opponent extra time. The sum of both clocks will always remain the same. There is no maximum amount of time alloted for a game with this timing method, as long as both players play quickly, the game will continue until its natural end. When time runs out on one player's clock the game is over and that player loses.

Sounds like something the fast paged players would like, not us let me take my time, kind of players. My question about live chess is more about the ability of the site to store our games, especially if we get disconected. maybe we can finish the games.  by a set time, if a player refused to finish the game, the game can be ruled on by admin. I for one have a intermitting problem with my dsl conection, and would love to finish games i have started. I know it's a pain in the tookus for my opponants. thanks for listening...

Ok so it's been done before but it can only be a beneficial addition to this already excellent site.

thanks bronz, and devinknight for responding, it was available in ICC. so i'm sure it is something that admin can do. Who would we ask?

lol welcome to blitz chess, obviously if you want to spend more time thinking then you would set the timer longer.

it jsut means that when you have spend x time longer o your moves in total than he has the game ends, where x is the game time.

I love this idea.

I like the idea.

If the initial time is 1 minute, then even if your opponent makes all of his moves instantly, you always have at least 1 minute total for your moves (like a 1 min quick game).

Also, I wonder if it would make any sense to add a delay concept to this idea, where you have a configurable number of delay seconds per move. Of course that could be set to 0 if you want, but could be useful for some players.

Thanks for the input people.  I would be interested to hear the any staff reaction to this idea.

Ozzie, interesting idea, but it doesn't seem that useful to me seeing as when you're not moving you'll be gaining time anyway.