Multi-move Time Controls (Please?)

Currently all time controls on turn based chess are "X-days per move".  Many, if not most, standard CC controls are more like "10 moves in 30 days".

The advantages of multi-move time controls are (1) it encourages quicker play in the opening phase, because you can accumulate days for more complicated positions later in the match thereby (2) getting the games into interesting territory more quickly for everyone.

I think the indirect benefit to Chess.com would be that overall play would speed up -- this would especially benefit tournaments.    My experience in USCF cc tournaments, such as Golden Knights, is that this time control is helpful in moving play along.

The ability to 'bank' days would also, I think, reduce vacation abuse.

I can't think of a single disadvantage for multi-move time controls, especially since you could always have the old "X-days per move" option if that's what you really prefer.

Is this an idea whose time has finally come?

I completely agree.  I have played at other sites that offered Fisher time controls and the like, and they worked pretty good.  Essentially, all time controls break down into  three categories: A) # days at start of game, B) # days added per move, C) max # days permitted.  This could be written something like A+B/C. 

Using the current system, a 5 days per move game would be 5+5/5 (written shortcut would just be "5").  The game starts with 5 days.  Each move gets 5 days added, but maxes at 5 days, so the net result is the current system... 5 days per move.

For games where you are giving each player a set amount of time and that is all they have, it works good too... A 30 day game (which really means 60 days if both players use all the time) would be 30+0/30 (written shortcut would just be (30+0).  No time is added and the clock steadily counts down when it is their turn.  I like this format for tournament games...

For Fisher time games, the system encourages faster play time.  Instead of resetting the clock back to the max time, only a small portion of that time is returned... It means that players have to stay on top of their games more, but if they know they are going to be away, they can bank up their time.  A game could start at 5 days with 1 day added per move, such as 5+1/5 (again, written shortcut would be "5+1")... I have seen games start with less than the maxium time, such as 3+1/5 or even 1+1/5. 

What I don't understand is the mechanism underneath the chess.com hood that makes time tick... do moves happen on an event basis?  Are moves scheduled?  Are moves checked in every game every minute?  Depending on how time is managed internally depends on how hard ANY change to the timing system of this site would be.

I just reread Eternal_Patzer's comment... the system above doesn't do X moves in Y days (10 moves in 30 days) type deal, but I certainly vote for greater flexibility and a timing system that would encourage faster play.

This would be bad, but good in some cases..

what if you have completely different time zones? it would force you to move once every day or something, making the game useless

It doesn't mean you have to join a tournament or game that has time controls incompatible with your location... for instance, I would stear clear of the short time controls.  Also, keep in mind that if you are in a differnent time zone as your opponent, your opponent has the same difficulty as you when it is their turn... it should even out.

In any case, I have seen these systems on other sites and they DO work well.  I believe most games are created with the default settings anyways (3 days?).  There is no reason why the default has to change... just have more options if we want to change them...

Count me in for the Fischer time controls. I've played in all three and I think Fischer is the best for giving you flexibility in when you make your move without allowing the game to go on forever.