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Chess is a game of antiquity. Naturally, chess clocks were not intrinsic to the game of chess. People used to play chess without clocks. There was no time limit on how long one person could think about their moves. That made the chess games very long and boring. In the mid-1800s players started using sand hourglasses to time each player. Soon, mechanical chess clocks were put to use. The chess clocks were connected together so that only one clock can run at a time. Presently, chess clocks and timers are used to control the amount of time that each chess player uses per game.
Analog (or mechanical) chess clocks were the first clocks to be invented. They use mechanical parts like levers, gears, and springs to control the time. Analog clocks use a regular clock face. Each side also has a small flag on it. When the long hand of the clock starts to approach the 12 position, it will pick up the flag and raise it as it moves. When it passes the 12 position, the flag will fall. Therefore, you always set an analog clock backwards with the amount of time you want per player. The short hand of the clock is generally set back from the 6 o'clock position. Presently along with analog chess clocks, digital chess clocks are also used in chess games.
Depending on the chess clocks and timings, chess games came to be classified into different categories. Using a chess clock gives players a certain amount of time to make all of their moves in a game. Quick blitz games are usually five minutes per player per game. Rapid games are usually between 30-60 minutes per player per game. Tournament games can last up to 3 ½ hours per player per game. There is no time limit for each move but players are allowed to decide and plan their stipulated time. Time is counted down until it runs out. Each player has their own amount of time that runs down while it is their turn to move. The game ends if one player runs out of time, is checkmated, there is a draw, or if a player resigns.
There are chess clocks with two timers – one for each of the players. Only one timer counts down at a time. Each player also has a button on their side of the clock that they press when they are done with their turn. When a player pushes their button it stops their time and starts their opponent's time. At the beginning of the game of chess, one player sets the time for both players with buttons in the neutral position so no time is running. Then the player with the black pieces presses their button to start the other player's timer. Once the player with the white pieces makes his move, he presses his button and the other player's clock starts running. This procedure is repeated until the game is finished.
Chess clocks are used following certain rules. The player with the black pieces gets to decide on which side of the board they want to have the clock. This is a small advantage because one is required to hit the clock with the same hand that is used to move the pieces. So, if a player is right-handed it is generally easier to have the clock on the right side so they don't have to reach across their body to hit the clock button. If there is ever a dispute in the game one player should stop the time for both players and get immediate help.
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