If you need to set 3+2, 5+0, 10+5, or 15+10, keep all four formats on one checklist: choose the starting time, choose what happens after a move, and verify the two displays before play. In 1Chess Clock, open Game settings, enter the agreed values, and return to the main clock for a quick check. This guide covers the setup without splitting each time control into a thin page.
What the four formats mean
The first number is the starting time for each player in minutes. The second number is the number of seconds added after a completed move when the control uses Fischer increment. That gives these four formats different rhythms:
- 3+2: three minutes plus two seconds per move. It keeps a fast game playable after the opening rush.
- 5+0: five minutes with no added time. Every player spends only the original five minutes.
- 10+5: ten minutes plus five seconds per move. It leaves more room for thinking while still feeling brisk.
- 15+10: fifteen minutes plus ten seconds per move. It suits a slower training or club session.
The notation alone does not tell you whether the second number means increment or delay. If the organiser announced Bronstein delay, use the Bronstein setup guide instead of treating it as Fischer. For a broader explanation of time controls, see how to choose a chess time control.
Set a control in 1Chess Clock
Open Game settings and select the mode that matches the announced format. Enter the base time in minutes, then enter the extra seconds if you are using Fischer increment. For 5+0, leave the increment at zero. If the app offers a matching preset, use it; otherwise enter the values manually and read the summary before saving.
The Fischer increment guide shows the app-specific distinction between base time and added seconds. Do not change the mode simply because two formats share the same numbers: 10+5 with Fischer and a five-second delay do not behave the same way.
Check the behavior before play
Return to the home clock and check both player panels. Make one practice move from each side: start the clock, let it run briefly, then tap the active side. With 5+0, the displayed time should only go down. With the other three controls, the clock should deduct the time spent thinking and then add the configured increment after the move.
This short test catches the most expensive setup mistake: both players believing they agreed to one format while the clock is running another. If the display does not match the announcement, stop, reopen Game settings, and correct it before the real game.
Choose the format for the session
Use 3+2 or 5+0 when you want a compact blitz game. Choose 10+5 for a more forgiving rapid-style practice, and 15+10 when players need space to discuss a position or review a game afterward. These are practical starting points, not universal tournament rules; the organiser's announced control always comes first.
When the setup is clear, place the phone where both players can reach it and follow the getting-started guide for the normal start-and-switch flow.