The timer function allows you to create a time control unit that encourages both players to make moves in a timely fashion.
Modes:
- Normal: while it is your turn, your timer will count down. While it is your opponent's turn, your timer will not count down.
- Hourglass: while it is your turn, your timer will count down. While it is your opponent's turn, your timer will count up.
- Bronstein: while it is your turn, your timer will count down. While it is your opponent's turn, your timer will not count down. If you move within the specified delay period, no time is removed from your remaining time.
- Fischer: while it is your turn, your timer will count down. While it is your opponent's turn, your timer will not count down. Every time it becomes your turn, the specified delay period is permanently added to your remaining time.
- Byo-yomi: while it is your turn, your timer will count down. While it is your opponent's turn, your timer will not count down. You begin with a specified set of grace periods. If you move within your next available grace period, no time is removed from your base remaining time and your grace periods are unaffected. If you do not move within your next available grace period, it is consumed and the next grace period begins. Multiple grace periods can be consumed within a single turn. When no more grace periods are available, you begin to consume your base remaining time.
To set up a timer:
- Choose File > New timer... to display the Timer setup window.
- From the Mode drop-down menu, select your preferred timer mode.
- Enter a starting time (in seconds) for Player 1 in the Player 1 starting time box. Enter only a number, such as 600 for ten minutes.
- Enter a starting time (in seconds) for Player 2 in the Player 2 starting time box. Enter only a number, such as 600 for ten minutes.
- If your timer mode uses a delay, enter it in the Delay box. Enter only a number, such as 60 for one minute.
- For byo-yomi mode, enter Player 1's byo-yomi periods in the Player 1 byo-yomi periods box. Enter periods separated by a space, such as 5 5 5 for three periods of five seconds each. Do not use commas, semicolons, or other characters.
- For byo-yomi mode, enter Player 2's byo-yomi periods in the Player 2 byo-yomi periods box. Enter periods separated by a space, such as 5 5 5 for three periods of five seconds each. Do not use commas, semicolons, or other characters.
- Once you have chosen your timer options, create the timer by clicking the Create timer button. The Timer setup window will be replaced by the Timer window.
To use a timer:
- Click Start/Pause to start the timer (on Player 1's turn). This button will also pause and unpause the timer while in use.
- Click Switch to switch from one player's turn to the other. You cannot switch the timer while it is paused.
- To add time to a player's remaining time, enter a number into the box above the corresponding Add P<number> time button, then click the button. You can remove time by using a negative number. Enter only a number, such as 60 or -5.
The timer window will display each player's remaining time, the delay (if applicable), and any remaining byo-yomi periods.
You can discard unwanted timers by closing its window, and set up new ones as desired.