Talking chess clock: playing in a tournament without seeing the dial

An adapted chess clock lets you know the time remaining without seeing the dial: either by touch (reinforced hands, raised markers, a perceptible flag) or by ear (spoken announcements). The FIDE Rules permit a special clock for blind players and describe its tactile markers.

Two families of adapted clocks

In everyday language people speak of a "talking clock", but the FIDE Rules first describe a tactile clock. There are therefore two approaches, which can complement each other.

The tactile hand clock

According to the FIDE supplement for disabled players, the clock permitted for blind players has:

• reinforced hands, which do not bend under the finger;
• a raised dot every five minutes and two closely spaced raised dots every fifteen minutes on the dial;
• a flag that is easy to feel, positioned so that the player can touch the minute hand during the last five minutes of the hour.

The player runs a finger over the dial, locates the hand and reads the time without damaging it. The flag, which drops when time runs out, can be detected by touch.

The digital clock with voice announcement

Some digital clocks offer audible signals or a spoken announcement of the time remaining. Features vary greatly between models (language of the announcement, frequency, earphone connection), so they must be checked in the technical specification, and one should not assume that an ordinary digital clock "talks". For official competitions, the tournament regulations decide: ask the arbiter or organiser which equipment is accepted.

What the player must be able to do alone

1. Start the clock by pressing the button on their side (preferably a large one).
2. Know the time remaining at any moment, by touch or by ear.
3. Know whether their flag has fallen.
4. Set the starting time and increment, or know that someone has done so for them before the game.

Game rules to know

The FIDE Rules specify that the opponent's clock only starts once the move has been completed: the blind player's piece is placed on its new square, the captured piece is removed from the player's board, and the move has been announced. This point prevents a player from losing time while their opponent explores the board. The FIDE also publishes recommendations ("Guidelines on treatment of disabled chess players") suggesting that a blind player be exempted from recording their moves during the last five minutes of the game, as a sighted opponent may reply very quickly.

Choosing a clock: practical pointers

Before comparing models, you need to know whether the clock will be used in tournaments or for playing among friends. For family use, a clock with large buttons and high contrast is often sufficient; the Palais des Échecs guide to choosing a digital clock details the general criteria (time controls, increment, legibility). To learn how to handle one, see also how to set and use a clock. These pages do not feature a talking clock; they serve as a general basis.

Checklist before buying

• Are the buttons large, easy to locate by touch, and either silent or clearly audible?
• Is the time remaining announced, or readable in raised form?
• Can the flag be felt by touch?
• Can the initial setting be made without sight, or can it be done by a companion?
• Is the model accepted in the tournaments you are aiming for?

For the board that accompanies the clock, see the page on the tactile chessboard and Braille notation.