Academic Chess has experimented extensively with kids and clocks through out the years. I remember having a back pack with 30 Kaisha ( first digital clocks) which I would take to my after school classed with me way back in the beginning of Academic Chess. Although we have 100's of clocks at our disposal, we have decided not to use them except for extremely serious kids in tournament play.

Here is the reasoning behind our logic:cording to USCF rules are optional. Oftentimes in tournament round robin games…we will not use clocks. Why?

• Kids play naturally fast and do not need clocks
  
  
• When playing on clocks, kids tend to play too fast
  
  
• If an opponent is abusing time (purposely taking too long on moves for manipulative purposes) on a non-clock game, the tournament director has the option of introducing a clock into that game.

• Clocks add a lot of unneeded pressure to a game of chess, and really add nothing to the quality of the game.

However…the other side of the coin is using clocks is great preparation for future tournament games where clocks might be required (state and national championships).

Academic Chess does keep an abundant supply of clocks at our tournaments available for any child who wants to borrow one. Generally, if both children are willing to play on a clock, we will provide one. We will require clocks only in the championship (trophy winner) sections.