Terms of Service

Last updated: September 11, 2026

1. Agreement

By creating an account or playing on ChessChat (chesschat.live) you agree to these terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you don't agree, don't use the service.

2. Eligibility: adults only

ChessChat pairs strangers over live video and is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. By using ChessChat you confirm you are at least 18. Accounts of underage users are removed.

3. The service

ChessChat matches you with another player, connects you over live video and lets you play rated chess. The service is free and provided “as is”. We work hard to keep it available, but we don't guarantee uninterrupted service.

A finished game leaves a public record: its moves, result, clocks, date, and both players' usernames and ratings can be opened by anyone with the link and are listed on your profile. Your video is never part of that record, because no call is recorded.

A game in progress is private to the two players by default. Two things change that, and both are your choice. Joining a lobby or a tournament lets its host watch your games there while they are live, video and audio included, without appearing to you. Setting up a casual game lets you invite people to watch it, and an invited viewer is seen and heard by both players. Hosting is granted by us and can be withdrawn by us. What each of these means for your video is set out in the Privacy Policy.

Some accounts are approved to stream their games to an outside platform. If you are paired with one, we tell you before the game starts and your own video is blurred on their side, so you are never broadcast. Streaming without that approval is not allowed, and neither is recording or republishing anyone else's video (see section 5).

4. Your account

Keep your credentials to yourself; you're responsible for activity on your account. One person per account. Don't impersonate others.

5. Conduct

ChessChat is played on camera. Your camera is expected to be on for the game. You may switch it off for a brief private moment, and you must switch it back on. Because you meet real people there, the conduct bar is simple and firm. You must not:

• show nudity, sexual content, or anything obscene on camera;
• play with your camera off beyond a brief private moment, or play repeated games without video;
• harass, threaten, insult or discriminate against other players;
• use chess engines or any outside assistance in rated games;
• record, screenshot or redistribute other players' video or audio;
• spam, advertise, or attempt to move players to other platforms for abuse;
• probe, disrupt or abuse the service itself (bots, exploits, fake accounts).

6. Moderation and enforcement

Players can report and block each other. Reports may include a single still frame of the reported player's video as evidence (see the Privacy Policy). We may warn, restrict, suspend or permanently ban accounts at our discretion, including automatically when multiple independent reports indicate serious misconduct. Blocking someone means you will never be paired with each other again.

7. Ratings and fair play

Ratings exist to make games fun and fair. Sandbagging, boosting, or manipulating results may lead to rating adjustments or account action.

8. Intellectual property

ChessChat, its name, logo and software are ours. Your games (moves and results) may be retained and shown as part of the service, e.g. in your profile and game replays.

9. Disclaimers and liability

You meet real people on ChessChat; we moderate actively but cannot pre-screen live video. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ChessChat is not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from use of the service. Our total liability is limited to the amount you paid us, which for a free service is zero.

10. Termination

You can stop using ChessChat at any time and request account deletion via [email protected]. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.

11. Changes

We may update these terms; the date above reflects the latest version. Continued use after changes means you accept them.

12. Contact

Questions about these terms: [email protected]. Anything else: [email protected].