Terms of Service

Acceptance of terms

By accessing or using ChessMethod, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service. These terms apply to all users, including learners, coaches, and administrators. ChessMethod is operated by Shortcastle Pte. Ltd.

User accounts

You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must provide accurate information when creating an account. Notify us immediately at support@chessmethod.io if you suspect unauthorized access.

Acceptable use

When using the Service, you agree to:

• Use ChessMethod only for lawful chess education, practice, and certification
• Treat other users and staff with respect — no harassment, bullying, or abusive behavior
• Not cheat on exams, share exam content, or otherwise undermine certification integrity
• Not attempt to reverse engineer, hack, or abuse Service infrastructure
• Not upload harmful, illegal, or inappropriate content

Educational content

Lessons, activities, videos, puzzles, and other learning materials available on ChessMethod may be owned by Shortcastle, curriculum partners, or licensors. You receive a limited, non-transferable license to access and use this content for personal learning. You may not copy, redistribute, or commercially exploit it without permission.

Payments and refunds

Certain features, plans, or exams may require payment. Payments are processed through Stripe. Billing terms, refunds, and pricing are as presented at checkout. Contact support for questions about charges, refunds, or billing disputes.

Certification exams

Proctored exams require camera consent and a suitable environment. We may review snapshots, event logs, and recordings for identity and integrity. We may withhold, revoke, or refuse a certificate if we reasonably believe an exam was compromised. Passing an exam does not guarantee any particular academic, employment, or federation outcome.

Intellectual property

The Service, its design, software, and ChessMethod branding are owned by Shortcastle Pte. Ltd. and its licensors. Nothing in these terms grants you ownership of Service technology or third-party content.

Account suspension

We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these terms, engage in harmful behavior, or misuse the Service. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you, but reserve the right to act immediately in cases of serious misconduct or security threats.

Disclaimer of warranties

The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not guarantee uninterrupted, error-free, or secure operation at all times. Exams, curriculum, and payments depend on internet connectivity and third-party services that may occasionally experience downtime.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Shortcastle Pte. Ltd. is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service. Our total liability for any claim related to the Service is limited to the amount you paid us in the twelve months before the claim, or one hundred dollars (USD), whichever is greater.

Changes to terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

Contact

Questions about these Terms of Service? Email support@chessmethod.io.