In chess tournaments, competitors use what’s called a “chess clock”.

The reasons and effects are many, as told here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100113221000AAwqbvR

[Reprinted and attributed for convenience]

“Using a clock provides certain advantages over untimed games. Time management is one. You have to use your time wisely looking for the best moves in a certain time frame. Another big advantage is with a chess clock, large tournaments are possible. With chess clocks you can know for certain when 100 different games in one single tournament will end, and with enough time for a break in between games. As for why there are two “clocks”, there are two time displays, each keeping track of the time for each player. In regular chess clock time constraints, the time on the clock is how much time a person has for the entire game. If they run out of time on their clock, they automatically lose. Time is only deducted from the clock on that person’s turn. If you use a clock while you are playing, you can get better at chess, because it forces you to think within in a timely manner with consequences if you don’t. Also it is very fair, because the other person your playing against will have the same time on their clock as you do yours.” – Kevlar100

Let’s frame the above in terms of our Game, shall we?

However, let us address it backwards.

See, women want men to think the time alloted to both players is the same.

Now, everyone knows [at some level; consciously or unconsciously], it is most certainly not.

But that wouldn’t be a “very fair” playing-field.

Thus, women use pressure to commit, time constraints, flake-outs, et al, to convince men to “take it while they can get it”.

In short, they rush a man’s hand.

By making him think he’ll lose everything should he play a longer, more considered game, she robs him of his greatest advantages.

Yet, if a man comes to realize – and internalize – he has much more time on his clock than she on hers:

He can plan with greater certainty.

He can consider far more options than she.

He can maximize the strengths of his pieces by carefully familiarizing himself with the unique properties of each.

While exploiting the weaknesses of hers.

Most of all, he can be more at ease and relaxed should a loss be suffered.

He can, to a point, afford to be aloof.

See, in our Game:

The timepiece “provides certain advantages over untimed games”, most assuredly.

But the real secret isn’t simply the knowing best strategy.

Or even just knowing your opponent.

It’s knowing how to play the clock.

Master all three:

And every Game is yours.

Ω

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