digital chess clock

Digital chess clocks, which emerged in the 1980s, provide precise timekeeping to the second, a significant advancement from earlier mechanical clocks and sandglasses used since the mid-19th century. These modern devices feature two parallel timers, each with a button that a player presses after making a move. This action stops their own timer and starts their opponent's.1

A notable innovation is the "Fischer clock," patented in 1988, which adds a small increment of time after each move. This allows players to manage their time more effectively, especially in speed chess formats where time limits are very short. Despite their precision, digital clocks have not become universally popular among players.21