Why LISA?

Common clocks

Common types of electronic clocks typically serve for three basic requirements:

• allow to select play mode from several fixed options
• allow user to define his own (user) play mode(s)
• allow to change time during the play

Individual clocks differ a bit each other but besides of limited performance, they are similar each other even as for another point: everything is conformed to the affort to minimize costs often at the expense of functionality. Technical resources are pared down as much as possible, used parts are limited – for showing (displays) and settings (pushbuttons) or quite missing (non-volatile memory, light and acoustic indication etc). Some manufacturers even prefer "Chinese" approach: emphasis on external looking above all, usage of devices and technology exceeding the limits of acceptability ("paper" printed board, pushbuttons from conductive rubber etc). The priority is to "survive" the warranty and then throw out when first failure occurs – repair is more expensive than a new piece...

• Even the simplest task – the very play when the opponents only switch their play buttons and watch passing times is satisfactory with reserve only: shortened displaying of times (hours and minutes can be interchanged with minutes and seconds by mistake), extra time passing is not displayed (which makes the orientation hard) and so on.

• All manipulations with the clock except of simple playing are too complicated and confusing. To create user mode an experienced electrical engineer is best but typical educated arbiter is in trouble. If there is a need to create user mode with more periods and bonus, the user seems to be in front of the horologe repeatedly watching turn and turn about some flashing data while it is very hard to keep view of what data is currently set.

• Even more problems come on if some change on the clock must be done during the play. It is not only confusing and complicated but the risk of a mistake increases in this case due to hurry and nerves. Then, the long manipulation can lead to incorrect influence to the rest of the game.

• small number of modes available, modes are obsolete

• no additional features

While LISA

LISA allows for nearly everything the arbiters as well as players wish.

LISA has even features which precede the present times: possibility of advantageous playing modes which were not be required so far because no existing clocks offered them.

LISA provides arbiter even with information which is hardly available by other means, above all if he had not been present next to the game. It is especially welcomed in time-troubles which occur typically for more games at the same time.

If there is a bit of "happiness" and "will", features of such intelligent clock can even apply in official usage by FIDE: new play modes, adjustment of laws to increase arbiters' rights while using data from the clock (e.g. the rule concerning overstepping the time after illegal opponent's move or "synchronous" overstepping by both players).

LISA keeps advantageous features of mechanical clock as much as possible (e.g. time is started by the play button of blacks) and, if it is possible, LISA improves them (fast and comfortable stopping the time with big middle pushbutton Stop instead of lever mechanism detent on the back side of Jantar or manual balancing the dead-point of Garde, optional ticking,...).

Since digital clock offers more additional functions in comparison to the mechanical ones (e.g. counting moves to computerized adding of time when switching to new period), it is clear that in some situations players are not allowed to behave as they were used. In spite of this, these situations take place from time to time: Sometimes it is hard to resist deep-rooted habits (immediate switching the clock after illegal opponent's move or after accidental switching the clock by the next chessboard player...). LISA respects such player manners as much as possible. Resulting illegal situations are arbiters' nightmares if using other digital clocks. Besides of general fast and lucid tool, LISA has even immediately (hot-key like) available specialized built-in corrections.