Rapid · 15 min, 5s delay/move

15 d5 Chess Clock

Fifteen minutes each with a five-second simple delay per move — the most common USCF rapid standard.

About the 15 d5 time control

With fifteen minutes and a five-second per-move buffer, this is the US Chess rapid benchmark. The delay means routine moves — king moves, checks, simple captures — cost nothing against your main time, keeping endgames fair without the clock-inflation of Fischer increment.

Compared to 15+10, the key difference is that time can never grow here: you cannot bank delay time the way you bank increment seconds. Good clock management matters as much as in pure rapid controls.

In short: 15 minutes per player with 5 second delay, in the rapid range. Tap below to start it now, or read more about how the time-control tiers compare.

▶ Play 15 d5 now

Frequently asked

Is 15 d5 the same as 15+5?

No. In 15+5 (Fischer increment) five seconds are added to your clock after each move, so your time can grow. In 15 d5 (simple delay) the five seconds are a buffer before your clock starts — time can only stay the same or decrease.

Where is 15 d5 used?

It is the standard rapid control at many US Chess (USCF) rated events and weekend tournaments in the United States.

Other rapid controls