Total Average Timing
Definition
Total Average Timing is the time system where
- one gets an initial period of time,
- time used for each move is deducted,
- and an extra period of time is added after each N-th move.
Extra periods are of same size, the initial one may differ.
In other words,
- one is required having made at least P x N moves before the first P periods have passed.
Diagram
|---| time for N moves
|------| time before
|--|------| time after
Remarks
This system is a generalization of Fischer Timing.
The difference to Canadian Timing is that the remaining time after stones were used up is added to the new period.
The advantage of Total is that it is non-spilling and less restrictive than Steady Average Timing (and, of course, Canadian Timing).
This follows when one modifies Total such that it emulates Steady:
- Don't deduct a stone if at least one period is left.
With appropriate clocks, players and organizers therefore should favor Total:
- it is least restrictive on players
- but still ensures organizers their average.
With only a plain clock, however, Total Average has to be emulated -- see below.
Emulation
The player gets
- the initial period,
- N stones,
- and no coins.
If the player runs out of time with no coin:
- the player loses on time.
If the player runs out of time with at least one coin:
- the opponent stops both clocks,
- the player pays one coin,
- the opponent puts one extra period on the player's clock,
- they check,
- and the opponent starts the player's clock again.
If the player runs out of stones:
- the player stops both clocks,
- the opponent hands over one coin,
- the player counts out N stones,
- they check,
- and the player starts the opponent's clock.
Example
3 moves ("stones") in 3 minutes.
# Time Stones Used -------------------------- 1 3:00 3 0:40 2 2:20 2 1:50 3 0:30 1 0:29 4 3:01 3 1:10 5 1:51 2 1:45 6 0:06 1 0:03 7 3:03 3 2:10 8 0:53 2 0:53 9 0:00 1 lost