Terms of Service
Last updated: April 2026
1. Acceptance
By creating an account on Chessmates ("the Service"), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service. Chessmates is operated by David Wermuth, Zürich, Switzerland.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years old to use Chessmates. By registering you confirm you meet this requirement. We reserve the right to terminate accounts of users found to be underage.
3. Your Account
You are responsible for keeping your credentials secure and for all activity under your account. You agree to provide accurate information and keep it up to date. You may not impersonate another person or create accounts on behalf of others.
4. Acceptable Use
You agree not to use Chessmates to:
- Harass, threaten, or harm other users
- Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
- Send spam or unsolicited promotional messages
- Impersonate any person or organisation
- Engage in any illegal activity
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Service or other accounts
Violations may result in immediate account suspension or termination.
5. Verification & Trust
Chessmates offers optional verification features. Players may verify ownership of their Lichess or Chess.com account to receive a "Verified" badge. Organisations may verify ownership of their website during admin review. "Trusted" status is earned by verified players who attend multiple events and check in with different hosts.
Verification confirms ownership of external accounts — it does not constitute identity verification, background checks, or endorsement by Chessmates. Verified-only events restrict participation to verified or trusted users, but this does not guarantee the safety of any meetup.
6. Events & Meetups
Chessmates enables users to post and discover chess meetups and events. Any in-person meeting arranged through the Service is entirely at your own risk. We strongly encourage meeting only in public places. Chessmates is not responsible for interactions that occur outside the platform.
Events may include a check-in system where the host generates a code for attendees to confirm their presence. Attendance records are used solely for Trusted badge eligibility. Event chats are retained for 30 days after the event ends, after which they are no longer displayed.
Event hosts may restrict events to verified players only. Only verified users and verified organisations may create such events.
7. Content
You retain ownership of content you post (photos, bio, messages). By posting, you grant Chessmates a non-exclusive licence to display that content within the Service. You may remove your content at any time by editing your profile or deleting your account.
8. Disclaimers
The Service is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Chessmates is not liable for any damages arising from your use of the Service or from interactions with other users.
9. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by Swiss law. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Zürich, Switzerland.
10. Changes
We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
Privacy Policy
Last updated: March 2026 · Applies to EU/EEA users under GDPR and Swiss users under revDSG
1. Who We Are
Chessmates is operated by David Wermuth, Zürich, Switzerland. Contact: hello@chessmates.live
2. Data We Collect
- Account data — email address, display name, username, password (hashed via Supabase Auth), date of birth (used for age verification; you must be 16+)
- Profile data — photo, city, country (derived from city), bio, chess ratings, play style, linked chess platform usernames
- Verification data — verification status, linked chess platform (Lichess/Chess.com), temporary verification codes. For organisations: website URL and website verification code
- Location data — your approximate coordinates (from city or GPS), used solely to show nearby players and events on the map
- Event data — events you create, RSVPs, event check-in records (event ID, confirming host, timestamp), and check-in codes
- Messages — direct messages and event chat messages sent through the platform. Event chats are displayed for 30 days after the event ends
- Trust & attendance data — number of confirmed event attendances, trusted status, verified status
- Push subscription tokens — if you opt in to push notifications
3. How We Use Your Data
- To show your profile to other users browsing the map
- To let you discover and RSVP to events and meetups
- To facilitate messaging between users
- To verify ownership of chess platform accounts and organisation websites
- To track event attendance for Trusted badge eligibility
- To enforce age restrictions (16+ minimum)
- To send transactional notifications (event reminders, messages)
- To enforce community guidelines and investigate reports
We do not sell your data. We do not use your data for advertising.
4. Legal Basis (GDPR / revDSG)
We process your data on the basis of: (a) contract — to provide the service; (b) legitimate interest — platform safety and functionality; (c) consent — for optional features such as location and push notifications.
5. Data Sharing
We share data only with essential service providers:
- Supabase — database and authentication (EU infrastructure)
- Netlify — website hosting and serverless functions
- Resend — transactional email delivery
6. Your Rights
Under GDPR and revDSG you have the right to access, correct, delete, and export your data, and to object to processing. To exercise any right, contact hello@chessmates.live. We respond within 30 days.
7. Data Retention
Data is retained for as long as your account is active. Event chat messages are displayed for 30 days after the event ends. When you delete your account, all personal data — including profile data, messages, event RSVPs, check-in records, verification data, and follow relationships — is permanently deleted within 30 days.
8. Cookies
We use session cookies solely for authentication. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.
9. Complaints
If you believe we have not handled your data correctly, you may lodge a complaint with the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) or your local supervisory authority.
Safety Guidelines
Your safety matters. Please read these before meeting anyone from Chessmates.
While Chessmates offers chess account verification and a trust system, these confirm ownership of online accounts and event attendance — they are not identity verification or background checks. You are responsible for your own safety when meeting people from this platform. All meetups are voluntary and entirely at your own risk.
Verification & Trust badges
Verified badge means the user has proven they own their Lichess or Chess.com account. For organisations, it means the admin has confirmed they control their claimed website. It does not verify real-world identity.
Trusted badge means the user is verified and has attended 2+ events hosted by different people, confirmed via check-in codes. This indicates real-world community participation but is not a guarantee of safety.
Verified-only events are restricted to verified and trusted users. This adds a layer of accountability but does not eliminate risk. Always follow the safety guidelines below.
Before you meet
Always meet in public. Choose a café, pub, chess club, or library. Never agree to meet at someone's home or an isolated location for a first meeting.
Talk first. Use the in-app chat to get a feel for who you're meeting. Genuine chess players are usually happy to discuss openings, ratings, or favourite games.
Tell someone where you're going. Let a friend or family member know where you'll be and who you're meeting.
Arrange your own transport. Get there and back independently so you can leave whenever you want.
Red flags
Pressure to meet immediately or share personal contact details
Insisting on a private location for a first meeting
Refusing to link a verifiable chess account or video call
Inconsistent or evasive answers about who they are
Reporting
If someone makes you uncomfortable, use the ⋯ menu on their profile or message to report or block them. We review all reports within 24 hours and act promptly on policy violations — removing content, suspending or banning accounts as needed. Blocking a user hides their profile, messages, and activity from you entirely. For urgent safety concerns, always contact local emergency services first.