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.