Plain-language summary (not binding): This section says who runs 88chess.com, how you accept these Terms, and how we tell you about changes. We give advance notice of changes, you can leave if you disagree, and changes never apply backwards.
1.1 The platform 88chess.com (the "Platform") is operated by LucidMaze, Lda, a private limited company incorporated in Portugal under registration number to be published, with registered office at Portugal (the "Company", "we", "us", "our"). Notices to the Company may be sent to support@88chess.com.
1.2 These Terms of Service (the "Terms") form a binding agreement between the Company and you, the user ("you", "your"). By creating an account, depositing funds, or otherwise using the Platform, you accept these Terms.
1.3 If you do not accept these Terms, you must not use the Platform.
1.4 Mandatory-law supremacy. Nothing in these Terms operates to exclude, restrict, or displace any right or protection that the applicable law of your jurisdiction confers on you and that cannot lawfully be waived by agreement. Where any provision of these Terms conflicts with such a non-waivable protection, that protection prevails, and the provision is modified only to the minimum extent, and only within your jurisdiction, needed to comply.
1.5 Severability. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable under the applicable law of your jurisdiction, it is severed for that jurisdiction only, and the remaining provisions continue in full force everywhere.
1.6 Changes to these Terms. We may change these Terms. Except where an immediate change is required by law or to address a security or fraud risk, we will give you at least 30 days' advance notice of any material change, by email or by prominent notice on the Platform, before it takes effect.
1.7 Your options on change. If you do not agree to a notified change, you may close your account and withdraw your undisputed balance before the change takes effect, in accordance with clause 6. Continuing to use the Platform after the change takes effect constitutes acceptance.
1.8 No retroactive material changes. Material changes do not apply retroactively to matches already completed, or to disputes already arisen, before the change takes effect.
Plain-language summary (not binding): You must be an adult and legally allowed to play where you are. One account per person. We may block access from places where we cannot operate lawfully, and we can check who you are.
2.1 Minimum age. You must be at least 18 years old, or the higher minimum age required by the applicable law of your jurisdiction, whichever is greater. Where the applicable law of your jurisdiction sets a higher minimum age for participation in real-money games, that higher age applies to you.
2.2 Capacity. You must have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract under the applicable law of your jurisdiction.
2.3 One account per person. You may hold only one account. Opening or controlling multiple accounts is prohibited and may result in suspension, forfeiture of unlawfully obtained winnings under clause 7, and closure.
2.4 Restricted jurisdictions. Cash Play is available only where the Company can operate lawfully. We may restrict or refuse access, deposits, or Cash Play from any jurisdiction where lawful operation cannot be assured. Where the lawfulness of Cash Play in your jurisdiction is unknown or unverified, Cash Play is restricted by default (fail-closed). This clause imports the Company's access-control policy, as updated from time to time.
2.5 Verification rights. We may, at any time, verify your identity, age, location, source of funds, and eligibility, and may suspend access or withhold Cash Play pending that verification, in accordance with clauses 6 and 7 and applicable law.
Plain-language summary (not binding): You can play chess for free with no account. Real-money play needs an account, identity checks, and that your location is cleared. Free play has no cash value. In real-money play, the Company runs the platform and holds the stakes in escrow; the wager itself is between you and your opponent, and the Company is not a party to it.
3.1 Free play. You may play chess for free, instantly, without an account. Free play involves no stake, no deposit, and no monetary entitlement of any kind. Ratings, points, or results from free play carry no cash value and cannot be redeemed, transferred, or withdrawn.
3.2 Cash Play. Head-to-head real-money matches ("Cash Play") are available only if you (a) hold a verified account, (b) have completed the identity and eligibility verification required under clause 6, and (c) are located in a jurisdiction cleared for Cash Play under clause 2.4.
3.3 Nature of the game. Cash Play matches are standard chess decided by checkmate, resignation, timeout, or the standard drawing rules, as set out in the Match Rules. The only element assigned by lot is the colour of the pieces; outcomes otherwise depend on the players' skill.
3.4 Match Rules. Cash Play is additionally governed by the Match Rules published on the Platform, which are incorporated into these Terms. Where the Match Rules and these Terms conflict on match mechanics, the Match Rules prevail; on all other matters, these Terms prevail.
3A.1 Two agreements govern Cash Play. When you use Cash Play, two related but distinct contracts apply: (a) the Platform Services Agreement between you and the Company, under which the Company provides matchmaking, the game engine, the board, rules and clock, escrow administration, result determination, and the match service for a fee; and (b) the Match Terms, a standardised stake agreement formed directly between you and your opponent for each cash match, under which each player stakes an equal amount and the winner is entitled to the pot. These Terms constitute the Platform Services Agreement and set out the standardised Match Terms that you and your opponent adopt for each match.
3A.2 The Company is not a party to the stake. The stake agreement under the Match Terms is between the two players. The Company is not a counterparty to it, does not bet against you, does not set odds, and does not fund, guarantee, or contribute to the pot. The Company's role in relation to the Match Terms is limited to acting, for both players, as escrow agent and rules administrator as set out below.
3A.3 Both contracts are consumer contracts. Where you use Cash Play as a consumer, the consumer protections in these Terms, including clauses 1.4 (mandatory-law supremacy), 8 (refunds, cancellations and disputes), 9 (liability), and 12 (governing law and forum), apply to the Platform Services Agreement in full, regardless of the player-to-player character of the stake. The structure of the Match Terms does not reduce, and is not intended to reduce, any consumer right you have against the Company.
3B.1 Escrow appointment. By entering a cash match, you and your opponent each appoint the Company, or the independent regulated provider the Company designates, to hold both stakes in escrow for the duration of the match and to administer the standardised Match Terms.
3B.2 Release mandate. You irrevocably instruct the escrow agent to release the pot mechanically according to the result of the match determined under the Match Rules: to the winner on a decisive result, or by return of each player's stake on a void or a draw, in each case as clauses 5 and 8 provide. The escrow agent exercises no discretion over the result and no discretion over release; release follows the mechanical outcome of the game.
3B.3 Segregation. Stakes held in escrow are held separately from the Company's own funds, are not the Company's money, and are not available to the Company's creditors, in accordance with clause 5.1 and the custody architecture.
3B.4 Players' mutual representations. Each player represents to the other, and to the Company, that they have the legal capacity and the right, under the applicable law of their own jurisdiction, to stake in a real-money chess match, and that doing so is lawful where they are located. Clause 2 (eligibility) and clause 2.4 (restricted jurisdictions) apply to each player.
Plain-language summary (not binding): Give accurate information, keep your login secure, do not share or sell your account, and do not use multiple accounts or team up to cheat.
4.1 Accurate information. You must provide accurate, current, and complete information when you register, and keep it up to date.
4.2 Credential security. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity under your account. Notify us without undue delay if you suspect unauthorised use.
4.3 No transfer. You may not transfer, sell, assign, or allow any other person to use your account.
4.4 No multi-accounting or collusion. Opening or using more than one account, and colluding with another player (including sharing an account, arranging match outcomes, or coordinating play), are prohibited and dealt with under clause 7.
Plain-language summary (not binding): Money you deposit stays yours and is held separately. In each match both players stake the same amount into escrow, the winner receives the pot, and a fixed service fee is shown before the match. Draws return your stake. We do not lend you money, and chargebacks have consequences.
5.1 Player funds. Money you deposit is held as player funds in accordance with the Company's custody arrangements and is not the Company's money. It is held separately from the Company's operating funds and is available for your Cash Play and withdrawal, subject to these Terms.
5.2 Deposit methods. Deposits may be made by the payment methods offered on the Platform from time to time, which may include cards, e-wallets, and bank transfer.
5.3 Stake, pot, and who owes the winner. Each Cash Play match is played for an equal stake by both players, starting at EUR 0.50. On entering the match, each player's stake is transferred into escrow under clause 3B. The winner's entitlement to the pot is an entitlement against the escrowed stakes, released by the escrow agent under the release mandate; it is not a payment of the Company's own money, and the Company does not owe winnings from its own assets. The Company's obligation is to administer the escrow and to release the pot correctly according to the result.
5.4 Fee. The Company charges a fixed, outcome-independent service fee for the match service, disclosed to both players before the match begins and charged regardless of who wins; the winner receives the full pot. The Company operates one fee model, disclosed before each match.
5.5 Draws. If a match is drawn under the standard drawing rules, each player's stake is returned in full from escrow. The service fee under clause 5.4, being outcome-independent, is unaffected by a draw.
5.6 Disconnection. If a player disconnects, the match is resolved by the game clock in accordance with the Match Rules, on the same basis as any other timeout.
5.7 No credit. The Company does not extend credit. You may stake only funds available in your account.
5.8 Chargebacks. Initiating a chargeback or payment reversal in bad faith, or in respect of validly incurred stakes or fees, is a breach of these Terms. We may suspend your account, recover the disputed amount from your balance, and take the steps in clause 7.
Plain-language summary (not binding): You can take out your money to the same method you paid in with. We verify your identity before your first withdrawal and when the law requires. We aim to process withdrawals quickly but rely on banks and providers. If your account goes dormant we tell you first and never quietly take your money.
6.1 Closed-loop principle. Withdrawals are, wherever reasonably possible, returned to the same payment method and account from which you deposited, to reduce fraud and money-laundering risk. Where that is not possible, we may require verified alternative details.
6.2 Verification before withdrawal. We will verify your identity before processing your first withdrawal, and again at the thresholds and in the circumstances required by the applicable law of your jurisdiction. As a global minimum, and regardless of local thresholds, we require full identity verification before any first withdrawal, and enhanced verification once your cumulative deposits, stakes, or withdrawals reach EUR 2,000; where local law requires verification at a lower threshold, that lower threshold applies.
6.3 Processing. Once a withdrawal is approved, we aim to initiate it within 1 to 3 business days. Actual receipt depends on third-party payment providers and banking systems, whose timing we do not control and cannot guarantee.
6.4 Holds. We may place a withdrawal on hold where required for verification, fraud prevention, or compliance with applicable law, or pending a fair-play review under clause 7. We will not hold a withdrawal longer than reasonably necessary for those purposes.
6.5 Dormant accounts. If your account shows no login for 12 months, we will treat it as dormant. Before applying any dormancy administration fee, we will give you at least 30 days' notice by email. Your balance is never absorbed by the Company and remains reclaimable by you (or your estate) subject to applicable law; any dormancy fee is limited to reasonable administration costs and will not be applied so as to extinguish your funds while they remain reclaimable.
Plain-language summary (not binding): No chess engines, no cheating, no collusion, no fake accounts, no rating manipulation. We monitor for this. If we find cheating we can hold funds, refund your opponent, forfeit winnings, or close your account, but we follow a set procedure, tell you the basis, and give you a human appeal.
7.1 Prohibited conduct. The following are prohibited: (a) using chess engines, bots, or any external assistance during a match; (b) collusion between players, including arranged results and chip-dumping; (c) rating or matchmaking manipulation; and (d) multi-accounting.
7.2 Monitoring. We monitor play for the conduct described in clause 7.1 using statistical and technical methods. By using Cash Play you acknowledge this monitoring.
7.3 Evidential standard. We will act under this clause only on a reasonable determination based on statistical and technical evidence that prohibited conduct has occurred.
7.4 Graduated consequences. Where the Company makes a determination under clause 7.3, it may, acting under its escrow and rules-administration mandate and proportionately to the conduct: (a) place affected escrowed funds on hold pending review; then, if the determination is upheld, (b) direct that stakes or winnings obtained through the prohibited conduct are not released to the offending player and are instead returned to the affected opponent under clause 7.5; and (c) suspend or terminate the offending player's account. Forfeiture remains a remedy applied through the procedure in clause 7.6, exercised as an escrow mandate, and never a matter of unilateral discretion; the appeal right in clause 7.6 applies in full.
7.5 Opponent refund. Where a player is found to have gained an advantage through prohibited conduct, we will refund the affected opponent's stake, and where practicable restore any rating loss caused by the prohibited conduct.
7.6 Procedure and appeal. Forfeiture under this clause is a remedy applied through the procedure in this clause, and not a matter of unilateral discretion. Before forfeiture becomes final, we will notify you of the basis for our determination and give you an opportunity to respond. You may appeal, and your appeal will be reviewed by a person who was not responsible for the original determination.
7.7 Undisputed funds. Funds not connected to the prohibited conduct remain yours and are withdrawable under clause 6.
Plain-language summary (not binding): We explain when a match is voided and your stake returned, how any legal cooling-off right works (and why a completed match usually cannot be undone), and how to complain, with set response times.
8.1 Voided matches. A match may be voided, and stakes returned, where a technical fault, platform error, or other event outside normal play prevents a fair result, as set out in the Match Rules. Where a match is voided, each player's stake is returned.
8.2 Statutory withdrawal and cooling-off. Where the applicable law of your jurisdiction gives you a right to withdraw from or cancel a contract (a cooling-off right), that right applies as your local law provides.
8.3 Consumed-service carve-out. You expressly request that Cash Play begins immediately when you enter a match, and you acknowledge that once a match is completed the service has been fully performed. To the extent permitted by the applicable law of your jurisdiction, a stake consumed in a completed match is not refundable under a cooling-off right, because the service was fully performed with your prior express consent. Your consent to immediate performance is captured before each match.
8.4 Complaints. If you have a complaint, contact us at the address in clause 1.1. We will acknowledge your complaint within 48 hours, provide a substantive response within 14 days, and issue our final response within 8 weeks.
8.5 Alternative dispute resolution. If you are not satisfied with our final response, you may refer the dispute to the dispute-resolution bodies competent in your jurisdiction, including any consumer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or online dispute resolution (ODR) body available to you under applicable law. This does not affect your right to bring proceedings before the courts competent under clause 12.
Plain-language summary (not binding): We provide the Platform "as is" as far as the law allows, but we never limit liability for things the law says we cannot (such as fraud or personal injury). Our overall liability is capped, except where the law forbids a cap.
9.1 As is. To the extent permitted by the applicable law of your jurisdiction, the Platform is provided "as is" and "as available", and we exclude implied warranties. This clause operates only within what mandatory local law permits; clause 1.4 governs any conflict.
9.2 Non-excludable liability. Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, for wilful misconduct or gross negligence, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded under the applicable law of your jurisdiction.
9.3 Cap. Subject to clause 9.2, our total aggregate liability to you arising out of or in connection with these Terms and your use of the Platform is limited to the greater of (a) the total amounts you paid to the Company, net of payouts made to you, in the 12 months before the event giving rise to the liability, and (b) the balance of your account wrongly withheld, if any. This cap does not apply where the applicable law of your jurisdiction does not permit it.
9.4 Force majeure. We are not liable for failure or delay in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural events, war, civil disruption, failures of payment providers, telecommunications, or internet infrastructure, or acts of government. Undisputed balances remain withdrawable notwithstanding a force majeure event, subject to the practical availability of payment systems.
9.5 Escrow-agent liability. Although the Company is not a counterparty to the stake, the Company (or its designated provider) acts as escrow agent, and its core escrow duties (to hold both stakes securely, to keep them segregated, and to release the pot correctly according to the result) are real obligations. Liability for breach of those core escrow duties, including loss or misdirection of escrowed stakes caused by the Company, is not excluded or capped except to the extent the applicable law of your jurisdiction permits, and the non-excludable categories in clause 9.2 continue to apply. The cap in clause 9.3 does not limit the Company's obligation to account for escrowed stakes it has failed to hold or release correctly.
Plain-language summary (not binding): We can suspend or close accounts for good reasons and on notice, but you can always withdraw your undisputed balance, and key protections survive closing.
10.1 By you. You may close your account at any time. On closure, your undisputed balance is withdrawable under clause 6.
10.2 By us. We may suspend or terminate your account: (a) for breach of these Terms; (b) where required by applicable law or by a regulator or payment provider; (c) for suspected fraud, money laundering, or prohibited conduct under clause 7; or (d) where we cease to offer Cash Play in your jurisdiction. Except where the law, a security or fraud risk, or a regulatory requirement demands immediate action, we will give you reasonable notice.
10.3 Effect on funds. On suspension or termination, your undisputed balance remains yours and is withdrawable under clause 6, subject to any hold lawfully applied under clauses 6 or 7.
10.4 Survival. Clauses 1.4, 1.5, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, and any provision that by its nature should survive, continue after termination.
Plain-language summary (not binding): The Platform and its content are ours. Use it properly and lawfully. How we handle your data is set out in our Privacy Policy.
11.1 Intellectual property. The Platform, its software, design, trademarks, and content are owned by the Company or its licensors. We grant you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to use the Platform for its intended purpose. You may not copy, modify, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works except as permitted by applicable law.
11.2 Acceptable use. You must not use the Platform unlawfully, interfere with its operation or security, introduce malicious code, scrape or harvest data other than as expressly permitted, or use it to harass or harm others.
11.3 Privacy. Our collection and use of your personal data are governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference and available on the Platform.
Plain-language summary (not binding): These Terms are governed by Portuguese law by default, but this never takes away the stronger protections, or the home-country court and law rights, that your local consumer law gives you.
12.1 Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of Portugal, the jurisdiction in which the Company is established, except as provided in clauses 1.4 and 12.2.
12.2 Consumer protection preserved. If you use the Platform as a consumer, this choice of law does not deprive you of the protection of the mandatory consumer-protection provisions of the law of the country where you have your habitual residence. Where the applicable law of your jurisdiction gives you the right to the protection of your home law, that right is preserved.
12.3 Forum. Subject to clause 12.2, disputes are subject to the courts of Portugal. Nothing in this clause deprives you of any non-waivable right to bring proceedings in, or to require proceedings to be brought in, the courts of your place of habitual residence where the applicable law of your jurisdiction so provides.
12.4 No exclusion of mandatory forum rights. Any provision of these Terms that would deprive you of a mandatory home-forum or home-law right under the applicable law of your jurisdiction is, to that extent and in that jurisdiction only, of no effect, in accordance with clause 1.4.