--- title: "Time control in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-control.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-control" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A time control is the rule that sets how much thinking time each player gets in a game, and whether extra time is added per move." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/classical-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blitz-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bullet-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/increment.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/delay.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-management.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/time-controls.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Time control in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. A time control is the rule that sets how much thinking time each player gets in a game, and whether extra time is added per move. A time control is the rule that sets how much thinking time each player gets in a game, and whether extra time is added per move, which decides what kind of chess is being played. Every serious game is played against a clock, and the time control describes how that clock works. It states the starting time for each side and any extra time added as the game goes on. It is usually written as minutes plus seconds, so 10+5 means ten minutes each and five seconds added after every move. The time control shapes the game. Long controls reward deep [calculation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/calculation.md) and careful planning, while short ones reward intuition, [pattern recognition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md) and speed. Most players group them into [bullet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bullet-chess.md), blitz, rapid and classical, in order from fastest to slowest. Each category usually has its own rating. Choose a control that fits your goal. For learning, slower games give you time to think through ideas and are easier to review afterwards. Faster games are good for practice and fun, but they can build habits of rushing. Before a tournament, always read the control in the announcement, because it affects preparation, stamina and how you plan your time. Also worth reading is [Blindfold chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blindfold-chess.md). Blindfold chess is played without seeing the board or the pieces, so each player must hold the whole position in memory and name every move aloud or through notation. It sits close to [Correspondence chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/correspondence-chess.md). Correspondence chess is played over a long period, with moves sent by post, email or a website, so each player has days to think about every move. It sits close to [Delay](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/delay.md). A delay is a pause at the start of each turn before a clock begins counting down, so a player can use that short time without losing any from the main clock. Time controls change what a player should practice, and the [improvement plans by rating band](https://georgelichess.com/improve.md) show how the habits behind "Time control" differ across rating ranges. ## Related terms - [Classical chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/classical-chess.md) - [Rapid chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-chess.md) - [Blitz chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blitz-chess.md) - [Bullet chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bullet-chess.md) - [Increment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/increment.md) - [Delay](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/delay.md) - [Time management](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-management.md) ## Guides that go further - [Chess time control calculator](https://georgelichess.com/tools/time-control-calculator.md): See whether a base time and increment counts as bullet, blitz, rapid or classical. - [Average chess rating and a good chess rating](https://georgelichess.com/chess-rating-percentiles.md): What share of active Lichess players are rated above 800, 1200, 1500, 1800 or 2000, by time control. - [Chess ratings explained](https://georgelichess.com/chess-ratings-explained.md): What a rating measures, how FIDE, Lichess, US Chess and chess.com compute theirs, and why the numbers differ. [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Classical chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/classical-chess.md) - [Rapid chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-chess.md) - [Blitz chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blitz-chess.md) - [Bullet chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bullet-chess.md) - [Increment in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/increment.md) - [Delay in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/delay.md) - [Time management in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-management.md) - [Chess terms: Time controls and formats](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/time-controls.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)