How long do you get to think before first move?

Sort:
Heinkel111

I could not find the answer to this on the wikipedia page or google.

Unlike standard chess the 960 players need to think hard before the first move. So how long do they get once the pieces are put in place before the clocks are started?

Martin_Stahl

You mean in an OTB situation? I would guess that there isn't a standard but the starting position is probably publicized before the game starts and clocks would be started at the scheduled game start with no additional thinking time allowed.

Heinkel111

 Yes I mean OTB.

I know on chess.com there is no pre-clock 'thinking time'

It seems like some thinking time prior to clock-start would be an advantage to white compared with being presented with the board at the instant the clocks start since white has to think much harder about their first move than in regular chess where opening theory is well understood.

Or to put it another way maybe white is actually at a disadvantage having to move first since quite a lot of thought has to go in to the first move and black can think on whites time for the first move for analysing initial board layout implications.

Martin_Stahl

My assumption is that an OTB event would post the position early enough that all players would have a little time to get familiar with the layout. At the very least, they woukd have a few minutes after pairings and before game start.