chess clock placement

I am left-handed. I don't have the pleasure of playing over the board with a large sample of people, but I have never played another left-handed player. Because of this, I have *never* (until today), moved the chess clock to the other side of the board on alternating games. But today, I decided that it would be a good idea to do so, so that I can get the feel of playing with the clock across the board. I think I will do that from now instead of just making it convenient for both me and my opponent by keeping the clock on our near sides.

But as I did this during my series of games today, I had an idea. It seems that it would be logical to just alternate the clock on each game. But to do this, the players would have a clock on one particular side whenever they have a specific color (since colors are alternated each game). I would rather have it so that there is no correlation of clock placement with a specific color played. I wouldn't want to even subconsciously get used to needing the clock on a certain side when I play black or white.

Wouldn't it make sense to alternate the clocks on a 1-2-2 basis, rather than doing so after each game? (That is, play with white and the clock on your left, then play with the clock on your right the next two games, then alternate to the left for the next two games and alternate every two games thereafter?)

Never mind the 1-2-2 process. I over-thought it. But alternating every two games makes sense rather than doing so every single game.

I have always been under the impression that the choice of sides belongs to the player playing black.  Not a rule, just a convention.

Is this not the case?

In USCF tournament chess, it's a rule. Honestly, I don't even think about or care which side the clock is on. So I have to reach across the board; No big deal.

Didn't know it was actually a rule, thanks for the info.

I'm with you though, doesn't really matter to me either.

You're right, it took me a while to find it:

"USCF Rule 16.L Possible stipulations. The director may require that clocks face a certain direction or that black or white sit on a particular side of the table. In the absence of such a requirement, unless black is late arriving for the start of the game (39A1), black determines which side of the board the clock is on, and the player arriving at the chessboard first may choose either side of the table to sit on. See also 39A1, black player late."

USCF rule 16L:  ... Black determines which side of the board the clock is on, and the player arriving at the chessboard first may choose either side of the table to sit on.

This rule may be overridden if announced before the tournament.  Some TDs , mostly in large tournaments, prefer to have the clocks all facing the same direction.

In the U.S. Open, they stipulated that all clocks face the same direction for the ease of the director. In all smaller OTB tourneys I've played in, it's always been Black's choice.

Can you learn to operate the clock with your other hand so you don't have to reach over? Also, using your less dominant hand to operate the clock my make your brain work better?

Sure, I could do that, but USCF rules require that you press the clock with the same hand that moves the pieces. I just prefer to do all of that with my dominant hand.

Under FIDE rules the arbiter decides where the clock is placed, and players must press the clock with the same hand with which they made their move.

Is it allowed to use two hands if more than one piece is being touched on the board (such as during a capture or to castle)?

If all clocks have to face the front, or one way, then you'd have to ask the arbitre if it's alright if players with Black can have the clock next to their dominant hand.

No, one hand only (and the same hand should operate the clock).

Is that rule in effect for blitz games as well?

Yes, although even GMs sometimes break that rule when in time trouble...