Why use a chess clock? Surely they are only for the totally serious chess fanatic and not useful for my games of chess? However it’s likely that even the beginners among us in the chess world would benefit from having a clock present during our chess games. When the clocks ticking time between moves is measured and limited. Instead of those Sunday afternoon epic games that never seem to end before dinner you get competition style chess where a winner is certain, even if it isn’t you!

If you head into most town centers looking for buy a chess clock you will hopefully have some good walking boots and plentiful provisions. Essentially they have become specialist items and the only place to buy them now is chess specialists, which usually limits your shopping experience to the Internet. There are some key brands in the chess clock market, mostly European companies who have an interest in chess strategy and advanced tournament play.

DGT have emerged as the leaders in the digital chess clock arena whereas the German company Garde still represent some of the best analogue clocks (as well as digital) available. Of course there are plenty of generic clocks on the market, many will be hastily branded accordingly for the retailer selling them. Then there are the many Chinese cheap  chess clocks that are great for bulk school purchases, just don’t expect them to last as long as their European counterparts.

A good quality chess clock shouldn’t be expensive, expect to be able to buy something good for well under £80, remember that these things are not produced in mass quantities like cheap sunglasses and razor blades, so don’t expect anything too cheap!