FIDE Proposes New Changes to Time Controls in Classical Chess

The General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has approved an initiative to reduce the amount of time allocated for games in classical chess tournaments.

Under the proposed rules, tournaments could be held without special permission from FIDE using a time control of 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move (60+30), and under certain conditions, a 45+30 format could also be used.

The changes are still expected to be reviewed and approved by the FIDE Council before they come fully into force.

Until now, high-level classical competitions have generally required at least 90 minutes per game with a 30-second increment for each move (90+30). Despite the new proposal, the 90+30 format is expected to remain the primary time control.

In tournaments where international titles and norms are awarded, players will not be allowed to play more than two games in one day. Under reduced time controls, only one norm earned toward an international title will be counted.

In competitions that affect the world rating, players should not spend more than 12 hours playing in a single day, and no more than two games may be played during that period.