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Chess/Chess Clock Question

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Expert: Louis Lima - 1/15/2010


Question
When the chess clock shows that your opponent has run out of time, how do you properly announce that fact?  I suppose if you're using an analog clock you might say "Flag." That sounds more professional than "You lose!"  Since a digital clock doesn't have a flag, what would you say? Or in that case do you just depend on the clock to make some sound?  

Answer
Hello Jim,

There is not protocol on what to tell your opponent when his/her flag falls. I usually just point at the clock and say "your flag fell". By the way, if your flag falls and your opponent hasn't noticed or doesn't call it then you could potentially draw the game. I've seen games that ended in draws because both flags had fallen and the players didn't know which one fell first. This doesn't happen with digital clocks though, because the clocks stop when one runs out of time.

Warmly,
Louis

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Louis Lima

Expertise

I can answer questions on proper self-training and chess tactics, but feel free to ask me anything related to chess and if I cannot answer it I will tell you.

Experience

I am a category A player with a FIDE rating of 1963, and a USCF rating of 1965. I have several instructional chess videos at http://www.youtube.com/chesslearning and author a review column for http://www.chesscafe.com and teach a Sunday chess class to kids at Tzu-Chi Foundation's Chinese School.

Organizations
Nassau Chess Club, Queens Chess Club, Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR)

Publications
Mobility Magazine, Moving Forward Monthly, www.schemingmind.com, http://www.chesscafe.com

Education/Credentials
Masters degree in Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Training and Development.

Awards and Honors
51st Nassau FIDE Futurity 2009 (3rd Place) Queens July Open 2007 (1st Place) North American Open 2005 (3rd Place in the U1600 Section) 2nd FCC Winter Swiss 2009 (3rd Place) 32nd Freeport Spring Swiss 2006 (3rd Place) 9th Queens Teams Champtionship 2009 (3rd Place)

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