Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Gambit Chess ("the Service"), available at www.gambitchess.space, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Gambit Chess.

2. Description of Service

Gambit Chess is an online chess platform that allows users to play chess with others via shareable game links. The Service offers both guest play (no account required) and registered account features including persistent game history, statistics, and cross-device synchronization.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years of age to use this Service. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use the Service.

4. User Accounts

When you create an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
• Maintain the security of your password and accept responsibility for all activity under your account.
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.
• Not share your account credentials with any third party.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

5. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Service or its related systems.
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the Service in a manner that disrupts normal operation.
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users.
• Impersonate any person or entity.
• Transmit any viruses, malware, or other harmful code.

6. Game Data and Records

Guest game records (games played without a registered account) are automatically deleted 30 hours after the game link is generated. Registered user game records are retained for 180 days from the date the record was created, after which they are permanently deleted. We do not guarantee the preservation of any game data beyond these retention periods.

7. Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of the Service — including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, and software — are the exclusive property of Gambit Chess and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GAMBIT CHESS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED $100 USD.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Gambit Chess and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Service or your violation of these Terms.

11. Third-Party Services

The Service may contain links to or integrate with third-party services (such as authentication providers and advertising networks). We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party services. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their respective terms.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.

13. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify registered users of material changes by updating the Effective Date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Service at our sole discretion, without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users, us, or third parties, or for any other reason. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease.

15. Chess Rules

Gambit Chess uses standard chess rules. Here is a plain-English summary of how the game works.

Winning and Losing

• Checkmate: The game ends immediately when a king is in check and has no legal escape. The player who delivers checkmate wins.
• Resignation: A player who resigns after both players have joined loses the game. The opponent wins.

Draws

A game ends in a draw with no winner when the Gambit Chess engine determines a valid draw condition, including:

• Stalemate: The player whose turn it is has no legal move but is not in check.
• Insufficient material: Neither player has enough pieces to force checkmate.
• Threefold repetition: The same position occurs three times with the same player to move.
• Fifty-move rule: Fifty consecutive moves are made by each player without a pawn move or capture.

Special Moves

• Castling: Kingside and queenside castling are permitted only when the applicable chess conditions are satisfied, including that the king and relevant rook have not previously moved and the king does not castle while in check, through check, or into check.
• En passant: En passant is permitted when its chess conditions are satisfied.
• Pawn promotion: A pawn reaching the opposite end of the board may be promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.

Cancellation

A game cancelled before an opponent joins is not scored as a win or loss.

Game Results

Gambit Chess determines the game result from the position and moves recorded by the game engine. The same game result applies to both players, with a win or loss displayed from each player's perspective.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at www.gambitchess.space.