A CHESS-CLOCK.
An ingenious clock has recently been patented by Messrs Frisch and Schierwater, 29 Church Street, Liverpool. It not only shows the ordinary time, but registers on separate dials—marked respectively ‘black’ and ‘white’—the period occupied by the players in a game of chess. It also indicates the number of moves in a game and whose turn it is to play. Another feature is the index upon the dial. This can be set for any time agreed upon—from one to fifteen minutes—during which a move must be made. The expiration of that time is shown by an indicator and by the ringing of a bell. By pressing a knob at the top of the clock, it is possible to temporarily check the progress of the mechanism. This would of course become necessary upon the players requiring a rest, or upon any other interruption taking place. The invention is, we believe, the first clock that has been constructed with a view to recording the movements in chess-playing. It may of course be utilised for other purposes. Being a travelling clock, it may be employed for indicating the times of different countries. The index and call-bell may be used, too, for public meetings, allowing so much time for each speaker; for a telephone Company, regulating an allowance of time; or for the testing of any machinery. The movement can be fitted to any existing clock. As a result of practical trial, the ‘Schierwater’s’ Patent Chess-Clock has been commended by many well-known chess-players.