Bronstein delay gives each player a short grace period at the start of every turn. Their main clock does not decrease until that delay has been used. Unlike Fischer increment, unused seconds are not added to the remaining time. A 10-minute game with a five-second Bronstein delay therefore starts at ten minutes and can never grow beyond ten minutes because of fast moves.
Select Bronstein delay
Open the game settings in 1Chess Clock and choose Bronstein delay as the time-control mode. Enter the starting time for each player and the delay in seconds. Read the summary carefully before saving: the base time and the delay describe different parts of the control, and changing one is not the same as changing the other.
If you need a format where time is added after a completed move, use Fischer instead. The app-specific steps are in the Fischer increment guide. For a broader explanation of the two systems and common chess notation, see the time-controls overview.
Verify the behaviour with a test move
Save the setting and start a short test game. Let the active clock run for less than the delay, then tap to complete the move. The main remaining time should be unchanged. Next, let it run longer than the delay and switch again. Only the time beyond the grace period should reduce the player's remaining time.
Repeat the test from both sides of the phone. It confirms that the configured value is easy to recognize and that both players know when the clock starts consuming main time. If the result does not match the announced control, stop before the real game and recheck the mode, base time, and delay.
Use it consistently at the board
Bronstein delay is helpful when you want a little protection for quick, routine moves but do not want a player's clock to grow. Decide in advance how accidental taps are handled, place the phone where both players can reach their own side, and do a practice hand-over. The getting-started guide covers the basic switch-turn flow.
Once the game begins, avoid opening settings or changing the time control. The app works offline and keeps the playing surface focused on the two clocks. That makes it suitable for club games, coaching, and casual games where the players want a clear, shared timer rather than another screen to manage.