🕰️ What Time Controls Should We Use for Tournaments? Vote Below!

Hello Coachella Chess Club members!

This is Steven, posting on behalf of Axel, our club organizer. We’re planning to start hosting monthly tournaments at the La Quinta Library on Thursdays, and we’d love your input on what time controls you prefer.

We meet from approximately 4:30 PM to 6:45 PM, so we’re limited to time formats that allow us to complete tournaments within that window. To help us organize fun and fair events, please take a moment to vote by replying to this post with your favorite option(s) from the list below.

✅ Choose Your Preferred Time Controls:

Each option includes a description and whether notation is required according to US Chess Federation (USCF) rules.

1. G/5 + 3

(Blitz – great for energy and multiple rounds)

• Each player gets 5 minutes plus 3 seconds increment per move
• Allows 5–6 rounds in a night
• 🔁 No notation required
• ✅ USCF Blitz-rated if dual-rated tournament is desired

2. G/10 + 5

(Faster Rapid – balanced and exciting)

• Each player gets 10 minutes plus 5 seconds increment
• Great middle-ground for speed and thinking time
• 🔁 No notation required

3. G/15 + 10

(Rapid – more time for quality play)

• Each player gets 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment
• 2–3 rounds typically possible
• 📝 Notation is required at this time control

4. G/15 d5

(Rapid with 5-second delay – no increment)

• Each player gets 15 minutes, with a 5-second delay
• More manageable time without adding time per move
• 📝 Notation is required

5. G/25 + 5

(Longer Rapid – best for deeper thinking)

• Each player gets 25 minutes plus 5 seconds increment
• Usually only 1–2 rounds possible in our timeframe
• 📝 Notation is required

6. G/10

(No increment or delay – fast & simple)

• Each player gets 10 minutes, no increment/delay
• Simple setup, allows 4–5 rounds
• 🔁 No notation required

7. G/15

(Straight 15 minutes – no increment or delay)

• Each player gets 15 minutes only
• Fits well for 3–4 rounds
• 🔁 No notation required
• ✅ This is the maximum time control you can use without notation, according to USCF rules

✍️ Don’t See Your Favorite?

If your favorite time control isn’t listed above, feel free to suggest it in the comments! We’ll consider all suggestions that can reasonably fit within our Thursday evening schedule.

We’re hoping to start running one tournament each month—sometimes more if allowed. Your feedback will help us build tournaments everyone enjoys.

Thanks for being part of the club, and we look forward to hearing your votes!

—

Steven

Admin Helper, Coachella Chess Club

La Quinta Library | Thursdays 4:00–6:45 PM 

Update:

After discussing with Axel, we’ve decided it’s best to stick with time controls that do not include increments or delays for our regular Thursday tournaments. These added time features can make it difficult to stay within our limited time frame at the library.

However, if you’re interested in longer time controls or formats with increments or delays, please let us know in the comments! If there’s enough interest, we may be able to organize a special Saturday event, where we’d have extended time to accommodate these formats.

Let me know if you’d like a shorter version for a comment reply, or a different tone for casual vs. formal settings.

I would prefer 15+5 and 5+3, they are both good for variety in my opinion.