0

	Why did the clock times suddenly change? The clocks seem broken!

The clocks are not broken. This jumping is caused either by internet lag, or because ofbonus time. Here is how lag works on chess.com: 

You make a move, the move gets sent to our server, then your opponent's computer. For the sake of ease, lets say it takes 5 seconds for the move to hit our server, then another 5 seconds for the move to hit your opponents computer from there. Your opponent will not see this move until 10 seconds after you make it, but your opponents clock will usually start counting down on your screen when the move hits our server. Then, let's say your opponent thinks for a total of 10 seconds. After this, it takes another 5 seconds for the move to be transmitted to our servers, and another 5 seconds for the move to now go to your computer.

So, you have been waiting for this move for roughly 30 seconds (10 seconds total travel time, 10 seconds thinking time, and another 10 seconds total travel time), and your opponents clock has been counting down for roughly 25 seconds. But since your opponent only spent 10 seconds thinking, that's all the time they get charged for. So, when their move finally hits your computer, their clock display re adjusts for the 15 extra seconds that your opponent wasn't actually thinking. Meanwhile, your clock display on your end will only count down while you are thinking. There are no "travel delays", and no need for correction on your end (though, your clock is adjusting similarly on your opponent's screen). 

Now, in reality, travel times are usually less than what are described here, these were used just to make the math simple, but the travel times are not consistent, and are never predictable, so adjuststments must be made like this. There is no way around it, and all sites have to deal with lag, though other sites are a bit less transparent about it.