Defective analog timers

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Daverose0106

HI

Just got done playing California with my  friends analog clock. needless to say I was 1 move from mate and the timer cut out early. It cost me a point  and prize money. I was was ticked and went and bought a digital timer and at night I compared the 2. I found out his wasn't running accurately. I know its too late now but during the match one suspects a timer is not accurate

how would you bring it up to the td? I won my last 4 with plenty of time with the digital.

BTW it was a good tournament and Chess.com sign was up.

goldendog

As I recall the rule, any clock defect has to be apparent for the TD to make a ruling regarding it.

I'm not sure what you mean "the timer cut out early." You mean the flag dropped prematurely?

Your problems should be over for the future in any case. Digitals are the way to go. Period.

CarlMI

Are you saying the clock you provided was defective?  If so you might have other problems with your complaint; 

U: Excuse me Mr. TD, I just lost a game because the clock I used shorted me time.

TD: Where did the clock come from?

U: Oh, its mine.

TD:  Hmm, should we vacate your previous wins in the tournament since you used defective equipment that might have shorted your opponents time but was only discovered when you lost?

I'm sure you didn't do this but it does look dodgy.  On the older analog clocks there was an adjustment wheel for each side that allowed you to correct for errors by speeding or slowing the clock a small but measurable amount.  There were a couple incidents reported where the adjustment values were set such that the owner's side was slowed the maximum possible and the opponent's side was sped up the maximum.  If you were a player often subject to time pressure it could make an enormous difference. 

BTW on your comparison, the correct deduction is the digital and analog clocks did not measure time at the same rate.  Since you had not compared the digital to a known good source you cannot conclude it is the digital timer which is accurate.  Measure both against a known source then you can make a correct diagnosis.  Of course given how most analog clocks get treated its a wonder they work at all.  I've played with some that looked like they were used as wheel chocks between rounds.

Digital is probably best but I still like the feel and look of a solid, wooden clock, ticking away with moving hands and an actual flag physically falling.