Answer this: Why is the clock wrong???

Dozens of games, clock says I have 10-35 seconds left (5 min game). Make any move instantly, the clock runs down 5-10 seconds instead of 1 second. I am timing out before the actual time runs out! Measured with a real clock!

What is the point of having a timed game if the timer is running fast for 1 player!!!!

The times displayed on your screen are CALCULATED by your local client (ie: by your own computer or phone). The actual times are kept by the server at chess.com HQ in California.

Keeping your computer constantly updated to the correct time would require far more internet chatter (and far more metered usage for those players who have a metered internet connection).

So the correct times are only updated when the server receives a move from one player or the other. This means that internet lag will cause your local client to fall out of sync with the "real" times, and only get updated and corrected after the move is made.

Oh joy. So those of us that need to use a VPN make this situation even worse because the 'clock' is getting routed through tons of places before being actually registered in California! 

This is a ridiculous system that could easily be remedied by a software upgrade that measures the lag problem in a game and adjusts for it accordingly, instead of causing 1 player to actually have 2 minutes to play and another to have 5 minutes to play. Why bother setting up such games to begin with???? Just to aggravate people! Why not at least mark the lag times of players and match up ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE EQUAL LAG!

This is not a genius problem people. This is something that this website should have corrected from Day 1.

The site does attempt to do that but also wants to make sure players get games.

There used to be a support article talking about it but I'm not finding that now.

I don't believe this has anything to do with lag. I've just played a game where it was one move after another; I would even pre-move as to not lose any precious time. My opponent would take a second to play, his time would go down 1 second. I would play immediately due to my pre-move and lose 5-10 seconds. I have a fast connection and don't have lag, this is ridiculous the dumbest thing. Is there a rule that I'm not aware of?

^ one move after another

I realize that's what chess is (duh-doy). What I meant was there was no pause or lag between each move, it was fast-paced.

Don't use wireless. Don't use VPN.

There are a lot of pieces of equipment between you and the site that can introduce lag and/or disconnects.

I've noticed this too, but chalked it up to the subjective passing of time. In other words, I thought my move was fast but maybe not as fast as I thought.

The only way to remedy this is to play a 10 Min game and keep it in your head as a 5 min game because that's the reality of it.

I also experienced this, not once but at least ten times already only in the past week, having 10 seconds on the clock, and move within one second but still run out of time according to the site. Really annoying as I had a wrap up winning position during these times.

Lost many games due to clock inconsistency. Chess.com should do something about it. I do not face this issue on Liches.

Also the bigger clock display like Lichess will help the players.

the clock is always wrong on this app no matter if you use a faster network. I’ve seen the clock skip 10-15 secs every other game. Not sure if this is a bug or deliberately built in to favor some premium players who pay for the app

Something as basic as a timer in a gamer being incorrect for pretty much every game I have played. Fix the damn thing! You can't be hosting games when your time decides to have its own field day! C'mon..

I have complained to support about this but they don't get it. If you are close to the servers you have an advantage. Even premoving you can lose 5 seconds if they are in the US. Support are in the US so they don't see it.

Support staff are all over the world, not just in the US.

The site has code to compensate for some lag but if a member is seeing a lot of it not all will be forgiven. There are some things that can be done client side to minimize connection issues.

https://support.chess.com/en/articles/8652402-how-can-i-optimize-my-online-chess-performance

https://support.chess.com/en/articles/8584209-how-do-i-fix-my-disconnect-lag-issues