Terms of Service

These Terms are an agreement between you and Chess.net (“Chess.net”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) and govern your access to and use of the Service.

By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our policies incorporated by reference (including any gameplay/fair play rules and community guidelines we publish). If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization, and “you” includes the organization.

You must be able to form a legally binding contract to use the Service. If you are under the age of majority where you live, you may use the Service only with the consent and involvement of a parent or legal guardian.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us promptly if you suspect unauthorized access.

You agree to provide accurate information and to keep your account information up to date.

Subject to these Terms, Chess.net grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use, unless we explicitly authorize otherwise.

You agree not to:

• Harass, threaten, impersonate, or abuse others.
• Post or transmit unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise harmful content.
• Use the Service to spam, phish, or distribute malware.
• Attempt to interfere with, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to the Service, accounts, or networks.

Chess is better when it’s fair. You may not cheat or assist others in cheating. This includes (without limitation) using chess engines or external assistance during games where it is not allowed, colluding, sandbagging, rating manipulation, or exploiting bugs to gain an unfair advantage.

We may use automated and manual methods to detect suspected cheating or abuse. We may take action including warnings, game result adjustments, rating adjustments, feature restrictions, suspensions, or termination.

The Service may let you submit content (e.g., profile information, messages, chat, game annotations, studies, or other materials) (“User Content”). You retain ownership of your User Content as between you and CHESS.NET.

You grant Chess.net a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, modify (for formatting), display, and distribute your User Content solely to operate, provide, and improve the Service.

You represent that you have the necessary rights to grant this license and that your User Content does not violate law or infringe third-party rights.

The Service, including its software, design, text, graphics, and trademarks, is owned by Chess.net or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Except for the limited license above, no rights are granted to you.

The Service may include links to third-party websites or services. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party content, products, or services. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms.

If the Service offers paid features (subscriptions, memberships, digital goods, etc.), additional terms may apply at the time of purchase. Fees are generally non-refundable except where required by law or as otherwise stated at checkout.

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or if we must do so to comply with law or protect the Service or other users.

You may stop using the Service at any time. Upon termination, sections that by their nature should survive will survive (including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and dispute provisions).

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHESS.NET DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, error-free operation, or that games, ratings, matchmaking, or anti-cheat decisions will always be correct or available.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHESS.NET WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SERVICE.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHESS.NET’S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICE WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO CHESS.NET FOR THE SERVICE IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR USD $100 IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID ANY AMOUNTS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Chess.net and its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to your use of the Service, your User Content, or your violation of these Terms.

We may modify the Service or these Terms from time to time. If changes are material, we will take reasonable steps to notify you (for example, by posting an updated version on this page with a new effective date). Continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of law principles. Except where prohibited by applicable law, you agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and you consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in such courts.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us via /contact.