When is a judge required to give a time extension?

A judge is required to give a time extension when the match is paused for more than a specific duration, generally one minute. This is because a significant pause could disrupt the flow of the game and potentially affect players' chances of completing their matches within the allotted time. When a match pauses, it can be due to various reasons, such as resolving a rules question, handling a technical issue, or addressing a player’s concern. If the pause exceeds the permitted threshold, it’s important to ensure fairness and provide an extension to compensate for the time lost, allowing both players the opportunity to compete fairly.

The other choices do not trigger an automatic time extension according to the rules. A request for additional time does not guarantee an extension, as it must be justified based on the rules. In the final round, while time management is crucial, it does not inherently necessitate an extension without other justification. Similarly, being in a lead does not impact the requirement for a time extension—the game should be allowed to play out regardless of a player's position in the match.