Terms of Service

1. About PhiChess

PhiChess is a matchmaking platform that helps Chess.com users find partners to share a Chess.com Friends & Family Plan. PhiChess is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with Chess.com or Chess.com, LLC.

2. What we do and don't do

PhiChess facilitates introductions between plan hosts and joiners. We do not handle, process, or escrow any payments — all financial arrangements are made directly between users. We are not responsible for any payment disputes, failed agreements, or losses arising from user interactions. Because PhiChess does not collect any payment from you, we do not offer refunds.

3. User responsibilities

By using PhiChess you confirm that you are at least 18 years old, and you agree to:

• Provide accurate information, including your Chess.com username
• Not post fraudulent, misleading, or scam listings
• Comply with Chess.com's own Terms of Service regarding Family Plans
• Not use the platform to harass, deceive, or harm other users
• Not scrape, harvest, or otherwise collect other users' contact information beyond what is necessary to coordinate a Family Plan you are part of

If you are a host, you will be able to see the email address and Chess.com username of everyone who applies to your listing as soon as they apply, including applicants you later decline. You agree to use applicant email addresses only to evaluate applicants and coordinate that specific listing. You must not use applicant contact information for marketing, unsolicited messages, or any other purpose, and you must not retain, share, or repurpose it beyond coordinating that listing.

4. Listing expiry

Listings expire automatically after 60 days from creation. Hosts are responsible for keeping their listings current. Expired listings are automatically hidden from public browse.

5. Privacy

A host's Chess.com username is partially masked in public listings. Once you apply to a listing, the host's full Chess.com username becomes visible to you, and your full Chess.com username and account email become visible to the host — as soon as you apply and regardless of whether the host later accepts or declines you. The host's email and payment instructions are shared with you only if and when the host accepts your application. Only the host of the listing you applied to can see your email; other applicants cannot. Hosts may use applicant emails only to coordinate that listing, as described in Section 3. We do not sell your data to third parties. Full details are in the Privacy Policy.

6. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or remove any account or listing that violates these terms, at our sole discretion and without notice.

7. Disclaimer of warranties

PhiChess is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not guarantee the accuracy of user profiles, the availability of plan slots, or the outcome of any arrangement made through the platform.

8. Limitation of liability

PhiChess is provided to you free of charge. To the maximum extent permitted by law, PhiChess is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, revenue, or data, arising from or relating to your use of the platform. Our total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to these terms is limited to USD $50. Some jurisdictions do not allow these limitations; in those jurisdictions the limitations apply only to the extent permitted by law.

9. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising from these Terms will be resolved exclusively in the federal or state courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

10. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms at any time. Continued use of PhiChess after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

11. Your content

You retain ownership of any content you submit to PhiChess (including listing notes, payment instructions, and application messages). By submitting content, you grant PhiChess a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, display, and transmit that content solely for the purpose of operating the platform. This license ends when you delete the content or your account, except where we are required to retain records by law.

12. Severability and entire agreement

These Terms (together with the Privacy Policy) constitute the entire agreement between you and PhiChess regarding your use of the platform. If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect, and the unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

13. Contact

For questions, reports, or to invoke any of the rights described in our Privacy Policy, email support@phichess.com.