Why does live chess only have increment: why not delay too?

Sort:
InfiniteFlash

I am curious because in a lot of OTB tournaments, the use of a 5 second delay is present.

Why is this setting not available in live chess?

shepi13

Doesn't FIDE only use increment?

I'm not sure, but I think delay is mainly used in USCF.

AKJett

also increment is better than delay...

Nytik

Yeah, the accusations of cheating and clock-hacking are not nearly common enough on these forums, let's give the option of a delay so we can read such gems as, "My opponent's delay is 2 or 3 seconds longer than mine" and "My opponent was about to run out of time but then his delay lasted for ages and he checkmated me!"

falcogrine

I like 5 second delay OTB, not sure how it would work online.

Paul_A_88

you are right

chessfreak800

delay is better cause if they hold their piece above the square then they won't get more time right when they drop the piece then it would not be fair especially when you're playing blitz or bullet

InfiniteFlash

So why does chess.com not have the option for delay?

Abhishek2

delay is weird. I like increment. Delay would be hard, and people won't get used to it. Then you're gonna add all these new functions.

InfiniteFlash

A lot of tournaments have delay in the area I live near, most tournaments here actually run with 5 second delay, with any "long" time control.

ivandh

The main argument against is that people are dumb and would not be able to figure out whether they are playing an increment or delay or whatever.

DrFrank124c

what is the difference between the two?

shepi13

Increment adds time to the clock.

Delay only keeps it from decreasing.

Bronstein delay is more complicated, your clock runs down, and then you get back either the increment or the time used, whichever is less.

 

For example, I have 25 seconds, and a 5 second delay/increment.

If I move within 3 seconds:

with a delay I will have 25 seconds

with a bronstein I will have 25 seconds

with an increment I will have 27 seconds.

 

However, if I have 2 seconds left and I move in 3 seconds:

with a delay I will have 2 seconds left.

with a bronstein I will flag.

with an increment I will flag.

ivandh

Increment means the time is added to your clock, delay means the clock doesn't run for a while.

zBorris

Delay doesn't add time to the clock if you move quicker than the delay. Increment adds time to the clock if this happens.

ivandh

I would like to see increment and delay, that would really blow people's minds.

chessgdt

Delay would help in fast games, and is pretty good in slow. Increment is great on slow, ok in fast.

Kingpatzer

The way to think about is that with increment all of the increment is used every move that happens prior to a flag fall. With delay time is left "on the clock" that is never usable. 

 

If I play a game in 90 with a 30 second delay, and on average I move in 15 seconds, then in 40 moves there are 600 seconds (15 x 40) that I don't ever get to use. 

But if I play a game of 90 with a 30 second increment then if I move on average of 15 seconds a game, then I'll have 600 extra seconds on the clock after 40 moves that I would otherwise not have. 

Now, in practice it probably doesn't matter that much, but it does effect how one should use the clock in positions where it looks like an extended endgame may result. 



 

ShyamGopal

FIDE uses only increment,in delay problem is that it's too complicated for 7 million people to understand!

falcogrine

All rated tournaments I have ever played in have had 5 second delay. This is mainly USCF events, including the Liberty Bell Open and the National Chess Congress, the two biggest events I've been to.