1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using BlitzChess.com, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with these terms, then you are expressly prohibited from using the site and must discontinue use immediately.
2. User Conduct & Fair Play
Our community is built on respect and the integrity of the game. You agree NOT to:
- Use any external assistance. This includes, but is not limited to, chess engines, databases, books, or help from other people during a game. This is the cardinal sin.
- Artificially manipulate your rating. This includes intentionally losing games (sandbagging) or colluding with other players.
- Engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. While there is no chat, this includes intentionally disconnecting or letting your clock run out in a hopelessly lost position. Play with honor.
Violation of these Fair Play rules will result in a permanent ban from all site activities, including participation in tournaments. We reserve the right to investigate any suspicious activity.
3. Tournaments and Prizes
By registering for a tournament, you agree to the specific rules outlined on the Tournaments page and our official Tournament Rules . All decisions made by BlitzChess staff regarding tournament results and prize distribution are final. Prizes are awarded based on skill and performance, as described for each event.
4. Intellectual Property
The content on this website, including the "BlitzChess" name, logo, text, graphics, and software, is the property of BlitzChess and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property without our prior written consent. The chess moves you make, however, belong to the public domain of chess history. Make them good ones.
5. Disclaimer of Warranty & Limitation of Liability
The site is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis. We make no warranties of any kind. You agree that your use of the site will be at your sole risk. In no event will we be liable to you or any third party for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from your use of the site, including lost profit or lost data.
6. Termination
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion and without notice or liability, to deny access to and use of the site (including blocking certain IP addresses) to any person for any reason, including for breach of any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in these Terms. If we terminate or suspend your access, you are prohibited from creating a new profile under your name, a fake name, or the name of any third party.
7. Governing Law
These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the digital realm of pure logic and reason, enforced by our unwavering commitment to fair play.