Most common time controls?
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rodolfopaiz
May 20, 2017
0
#1
For "beginner" tournaments, rated below 1500 or so, what are the most common time controls in Chess.com or OTB tournaments?
Thanks!
It would depend on your age mostly.
Based on your picture, for adult OTB tournaments, 40/120 SD/30; d5
i played in a tournament at the local club and their time was 30 moves in 90 minutes and + one hour after that
it was fantastic (especially to really look at my moves in the opening) but exhausting
it was fantastic (especially to really look at my moves in the opening) but exhausting
Normally you play 3 games per day and 6 games total in 2 days (OTB tournaments).
May 21, 2017
0
#5
Online, blitz games are most popular (basically 3 to 15 minutes for each player).
OTB tournament games in United States are commonly G/60. (Multi-day tournaments aren't as common, but they usually have longer time controls.)
Although that somewhat depends on your state. Each state has an affiliate of the national organization (the USCF). Google "[your state] chess association" and browse the tournament section to get an idea of what's near you.
May 21, 2017
0
#6
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. Seems to be a lot of variety out there. I'll start by looking for the USCF state association and see what tournaments near me are doing.
Again, thanks for responding. :-)
May 21, 2017
0
#7
The most common time controls in OTB tournaments are 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment, or 2 hours + 1 hour after 40 moves, with a 5 second delay the whole time.
Many time controls will be faster though.
May 21, 2017
0
#8
Cherub_Enjel wrote:
The most common time controls in OTB tournaments are 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment, or 2 hours + 1 hour after 40 moves, with a 5 second delay the whole time.
Many time controls will be faster though.
If we're talking about the United States there are soooo many G/30 and G/60 though. Literally every week in multiple states. I've never seen 90+30 or multi time controls tournament available every week.
I definitely prefer these longer ones, so if you're in an area (or know of an area) where these long ones are common, let me know, I'll want to move there in the future 
Jan 16, 2019
0
#9
Always interesting to see such different opinions. Personally, I need at least G/30 in order to feel like I have time to think through each move, and even then I'm thinking at full speed and feeling the adrenaline rush. G/60 would be a comfortable time control for me... in 10-min blitz I find myself having to play on instinct, and I don't enjoy that as much (plus I don't yet have that much "instinct" built up!).