GameKnot: GameKnot related, Idea For Time Control

GameKnot related: Idea For Time Control

From

Message

evader23
18-Dec-19, 17:33

Idea For Time Control

I was just playing a real time game online and won on time. While I'd rather win by checkmate, it got me thinking. In real time games(which I realize is different) you only have a finite amount of time. You have to make ALL moves in a certain amount of time. On here you get certain amount of time per move. If the time controls are set to 3 days, whether you use 1 minute or 2 days 23 hours, on your next move you again have three days. And there is nothing wrong with that. And I am not proposing getting rid of it, but rather add the following.

Games with finite time to make all moves. Minimum of say 7 days for fast player(most of mine end 7 to 10 anyway some go a month but neither here nor there) and no upper limit. I have noticed some of the slower players taking a year or more and that could be a time control as well.

Rational being, it would be up to the player if they want to spend a day looking at a position or a week and games would get over in a set time, be it 2 weeks or two years. Not that I mind if a game goes year or more just this way it would force player to ration their time. Make quick moves in an opening and book endgames. Think longer for middle game with all the pieces still on the board. Cond moves would still be an option and take zero time off the clock.

And of course vacation/postponement would still be an option if you needed it within current rules.

So what do you guys think?

baddeeds
19-Dec-19, 07:38

I have to disagree with you, evader23. My games never last a year, but if they did, I wouldn't mind. Make time controls shorter and people would probably be rushing. And, it's based on what a mentor once told me with that much time. As at the time, I was moving way too quickly and playing too much at once.

In fact, if I recall correctly, my fastest average time per move was 16.2 minutes and had all 5 bars lit which means that I made many moves per day, at the time. I was corrected for doing that, and eventually realized on my own, that this mentor was correct when things started getting busy at work. So, I like the idea of having plenty of time to move because it gives you that opportunity to think about what should be done next.

What move is good, and if you're about to make a mistake or blunder you can stop yourself from doing that. Whereas, if the time control were faster, that mistake might be made. You might keep making the same type of mistake which means that you wouldn't be learning from that. So, I'm glad that GK's continuing what they're doing with long time controls.

tapanis
19-Dec-19, 13:11

I think this might be an interesting idea, but need some more thinking how could it work in praxis. You would need two time controls, a time per move as it is now and total time for all moves. Total time per game might be 15 days, 30 days or 45 days depending on a switch in a tournament setup. Extra 10 days might be added after 40 moves.

I think this is needed only in mini-tournament games. While there a tournament might hang while some slow playing players.

evader23
19-Dec-19, 13:41

Tapanis I like the idea of adding time after 40 moves. And while I personaly don't play mini tournaments right now, that one person hold it up and it hangs seems to be an issue and this would solve that.

My idea of total time for moves wasn't to replace the exsiting time controls but to add another option.

In OTB and online real time games you manage time based on total time. Move quicker in the opening and book endgames take you time to think in the middle game. This idea would bring that level of thinking to this site.

Again like other features it if you don't like it don't use it. I, myself, wanna see how I'd do in a 30 day total time control. But that is just me

tapanis
19-Dec-19, 20:25

One issue that need to be solved is how to handle sleeping time. Your total time clock shouldn't be ticking while you are sleeping. It could be something to be handled with time-zone settings. For example total time not ticking at about 00:00 - 6:00 am local time. What you think?

evader23
20-Dec-19, 05:25

I like it. Would even have to be time zone specific just after ever 24 hours add 8 hours

« Back to forum