Total beginner - time and time settings

Hey there,

after learning the rudmententary moving rules years ago, i just started looking into chess here like 3 days ago. I am a total beginner, but after beating the first newbie bot a few times, I also would like to start playing real people. While still checking out the interface and the time settings, two questions came up.

1) What do the settings XX| YY mean?

2) What would be a good time setting for a total beginner? I like to think about my moves and for now, I think I don't have any use for those fast paced games, as I would like to get better and learn.

1. For example 3|2, you will start with 3 minutes and each time you make your move you will add 2 seconds to you clock. So 5|5 will mean that you start with 5 minutes and add 5 seconds to your clock per move. The additional time added is know as an increment, which means that 5|5 has a 5 second increment. 2. I suggest at least you play at least 15 minutes with a 10 second increment, but if you have the time you can try longer time controls so that you have more time to make your moves. Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for explaining the settings and for your input to the time limit.

I really appreciate your help.

As another recent beginner, I really second that 15/10 is the way to go. I play shorter intervals sometimes because it's fun and time constraints, but I always find that I've picked up bad habits when I switch back, and it takes me a few games to adjust

You already heard what xx|yy means so I will just say that if you wish to improve, longer games are better because they allow you to choose your moves carefully, and you will make less mistakes that way. 15|10 should be the minimum time control, and if you can and like, you can play even longer games.

Welcome and good luck on your chess improvement.

Thank you very much for all your helpfull input! I really appreciate it and will try with 15 | 10. If this is not enough, I will go for longer limits.

You're welcome. In any case, if you are unsure about something, feel free to ask.

15|10 is best suited. It is the official FIDE rapid time control. Thanks to the increment games never degenerate into flagging contests. You can always win a won position or draw a drawn position without fear of losing on time.

I would start with 45+45 or dailys. Why rush with faster speed? Its hard in start to spot tactics fast so having a bit extra time will make you blunder less. 

I sometimes even do 180+180. Then i can really relax with time. Maybe go grab some coffe while waiting or doing some other things like solving some puzzles while waiting. 

Actually no. 45|45 is good for a player who has played for some time.

Give someone very new to chess a game of 45|45 and they will still play almost quickly. I'm sure you have been through the beginning stages of chess (who doesn't?). They will feel as though they have "too much time" on their hands after their games end quickly.

However, 5|0 is no good either as they probably will need more time than that.

I believe that 10|5, 15|10 and 30|0 are good controls for a beginning player. I wonder if anyone keeps statistics of the total duration of each game played (eg how many percent of all the games of 15|10 are completed under 20 minutes?).

Imagine the older days when only analogue clocks existed and games could not be played under increment.

Try what will be most suitable for you and adjust accordingly afterwards. Most importantly, regardless of skill level and time control, enjoy the games.

When I was a kid, I started out without a clock, and the games were long. So I would say that it depends from person to person. If he can, I thing playing longer games is an invaluable experience, but everything from 15|10 will probably do.

Of all possible time controls, I missed this one!

(Yes, I started out in chess not knowing that analogue and digital clocks exist! I started out without clocks as well, but it was over-the-board)

Its kinda like two approaches. Either trial and error, you blitz out a move and try to remmeber if its good or bad til next game. Or you spend a few minutes thinking before moving. The idea behind longer games is that if you calculate and think for 5 min before moving I belive your are more likly to remember it then if you just blitz out a move with little to no thinking. Playing on long time periods allows to think alot before moving. 10 and 15 min might sound alot but its stressfull when you are new to chess. I have only played i year and i remeber 10min was really stressfull in the start. So in the beginning i played daily. Because i rather learn how to win on the board then win on the clock. 

Thank you all for your input on this topic and the evolving discussion. I see, that there might not be the "one solution" that fits all possibilities. I guess I just have to start at one setting and adjust accordingly to my personal needs.

You all gave me good pointers where to start and to possible go from there!

But when COVID allows it, playing tournaments over the board is very useful for improvement.

A quick feedback, I just finished my first game against a human player with 39 seconds on the clock with the 15 | 10 setting. It really keeps my on my toes

Time Controls - Everything You Wanted To Know...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/time-controls-everything-you-wanted-to-know

What a great ressource!