Last week I received a demonstration unit of the DGT North American clock, a new clock put out by DGT and brought to North America by DGT North America. I began putting the clock through a battery tests, including what I call the 2-year old test (more on this later).

As an organizer, arbiter, and player there are some key features that I want from a clock: light weight, easy to use, and rugged enough for blitz. It also helps to look stylish. The DGT North American fits the bill to a tee.

Physically the clock body is blue, with a white rocker plunger, and red buttons. The on/off button is accessible on the underside of the clock on the left removing the need to flip the clock over and it’s also recessed so there can be no accidental shut off of the clock. The display is large and simple to understand. There are 4 red buttons on the face of the clock that provide the controls to the clock.

An important feature, which is helpful in reducing the overall weight, is that the clock only requires 2 AA batteries, versus, for example, 4 AA batteries for an Excalibur or 4 C batteries for a Saitek Competition II or 2 C batteries for the Saitek Competition III clocks.

The clock comes with 13 pre-sets (delay, increment, neither), 10 manual settings, and can handle up to 4 time periods. Creating you own time settings takes only a few minutes.

When you have less than 20 minutes left you will see the seconds counting down to the right of the minutes. When your flag is down, you will see a flag image display. If you have the audible alert you will hear the alert as well.

This past Saturday, I organized and directed the 2009 IL Class Championships and I provided the clock to different players each round to use (and I used it in the final round when I played a house game).

First I had to set the clock to G/55 w/5-sec delay. After I learned the controls (took me about 5-10 minutes playing around with it and not looking at the manual), I was able to set it quickly.

Players enjoyed the large display, the easy of use of the plunger mechanism and the plungers quiet execution. A few of them played with the clock settings as well and I had them configure a couple of different time controls without looking at the manual. After a few minutes of trial and error they were able to figure it out and were quite amazed.

Now I’ve used a variety of different clocks from the Excalibur, to the Saitek II, to the Chronos and the DGT XL (which I still will use for my norm tournaments since they plug into DGT boards), and by far this clock is the best from the triple perspective of player, organizer, and arbiter.

Now as previously mentioned there was a 2-year old test performed. I place 5 different clocks in front of my 2-year old daughter Jessica: Excalibur, Saitek II, Chronos mini, the DGT XL, and the DGT North American. Which one did she pick? The DGT North American. It was the first clock she went to when I placed them in front of her. Attractive colors or something else? Only she knows for sure!

I’m glad that this clock will be the official time piece of the World Amateur Chess Championship and the official clock of the North American Chess Association. Shortly I’ll be announcing a special package that includes this clock and other items.

Good Chess to All,

Sevan A. Muradian, Founder
North American Chess Association
International Arbiter and International Organizer