Before the first move
Place the clock where both players can reach it without crossing the board. Agree the time control, confirm both displays, and decide which hand will move the pieces. In formal play, use the same hand to move and press. On ChessClock.now, open Settings, choose a preset or enter custom values, then name the two sides.
During the game
Start the clock for the player who moves first. After completing a legal move, press your clock once. Do not hold the button down, hover over it, or press before releasing the piece. The active panel is intentionally obvious on this site: it is brighter, carries a running marker, and announces its state to assistive technology.
Source for the factual guidance above: FIDE Laws of Chess.
Pause and finish
Pause only for a genuine interruption or when an arbiter must be called. A clock reaching zero does not decide every conceivable position by itself; event rules and the board position still matter. For casual games, agree the result and tap Finish so it appears in your local history or signed-in dashboard.
A complete first-game walkthrough
Set both sides to 10+5 and place the clock beside Black. Black presses the button to start White's time. White moves, releases the piece, and presses the White-side button; Black's display begins counting down and White receives the five-second increment. The players repeat that order for every move. If someone needs an arbiter or the board is disturbed, either player pauses both timers instead of allowing one side to run. At the end, they stop the clock, agree the result, and use Finish. Rehearsing this sequence once without playing a serious game makes the physical rhythm feel ordinary.
Common beginner mistakes
The most common error is pressing before the move is complete. That transfers the turn while the player's hand is still changing the board. Other errors include starting the wrong side, forgetting which bonus mode was selected, striking the button hard, and resetting a disputed display. Use a short verbal check before play: control, sides, sound, orientation, and active player. During play, use one repeatable sequence: decide, move, release, press. If something looks wrong, pause first. A preserved display gives both players better information than a hurried attempt to reconstruct missing time.
How to build a reliable habit
Practice for five minutes with an empty board or a simple king-and-pawn position. Move one piece legally, press once, and return your hand to a neutral position. Keep your eyes on the board until the press is complete, then verify that the other side is running. Repeat from both seats and rotate the device if needed. The goal is not faster hand movement. It is a clean action that does not disturb pieces, obscure the display, or create uncertainty. Once the sequence is automatic, add notation, increment, and realistic time pressure one element at a time.
Before rehearsing the move-and-press routine, confirm how to set a chess clock.
Common questions
Which player starts the chess clock?
At the scheduled start, White's time normally begins first. In a casual game, Black commonly starts White's clock once both players are ready. Follow the organizer's procedure in formal play.
Should I press the clock before or after writing the move?
Complete the move and press the clock as one turn sequence. Any notation requirement and its timing depend on the event rules, so practise the procedure published for the competition you will play.
Primary references & further reading
Rules and browser capabilities can change. These links are provided for the current governing or technical source.