In what circumstances may a judge grant a time extension during a tournament?

A judge may grant a time extension during a tournament primarily in the case of technical difficulties or previous errors in the match. This could involve situations where a player has experienced a game- or match-affecting issue that was beyond their control, such as a failure of tournament software, problems with the game environment, or other unforeseen circumstances that disrupt the flow of the match.

In contrast, requesting additional time for strategizing is part of strategic gameplay and doesn't warrant an extension because it can lead to unfair advantages. Players asking for a break can be addressed through established guidelines, but it typically doesn't result in an automatic time extension, as breaks are intended to be managed within the constraints of the tournament structure. Lastly, being unprepared is also not a valid reason for a time extension; it is the responsibility of the players to be ready to proceed without delay.

Thus, the reasoning for allowing time extensions primarily hinges on resolving situations that impact the match due to external factors rather than players' personal choices or strategies.