A Common Source of Confusion Many users wonder whether these rules apply only to public areas of Chess.com or also to private clubs, private messages, and private chats. Based on my understanding, the TOS and Community Policies primarily refer to public spaces on Chess.com, and private clubs often operate under more flexible guidelines. Here are a few examples to clarify:
Public Debates on Religion or Politics The Chess.com Community Policies state: “Do not publicly debate religious or political topics.” However, many private clubs (especially discussion groups) allow these debates, as long as they are within the club’s specific rules.
Advertising Restrictions According to the TOS, users may not “post any comments, text, messages, or links in the forums or any public comments that contain advertisements of any kind, including religious, political, or recruiting messages for Chess.com groups, clubs, blogs, or any other content.” Yet, many private clubs allow club recruitment messages and advertisements for matches or tournaments.
Harassment and Kindness Standards The Community Policies ask members to “Be kind, helpful, and forgiving,” while the TOS prohibits “harassing” or “defamatory” content. From my experience, Chess.com staff sets a higher threshold for what constitutes harassment in private clubs compared to public spaces. Reporting results are often more lenient in private settings.
Privacy Concerns The TOS prohibits content “invasive of another’s privacy.” For example, sharing quotes or screenshots from private messages in public areas will likely result in removal by staff, but this rule seems to be less strictly enforced in private clubs.
Vulgar or Explicit Content The TOS bans “vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit” content in public areas. However, some private clubs may allow partial or even full nudity—content that wouldn’t be permitted in public avatars or forums.
Objectionable Posts While the TOS prohibits “objectionable” posts, private clubs often set their own guidelines for what content is acceptable, as long as it remains within the overarching rules of the platform.
Off-Topic or Spam Posts The TOS doesn’t allow posts that are “off-topic or irrelevant” in public areas. However, private clubs—especially free speech discussion groups—are free to allow off-topic posts or even tolerate spam.
Conclusion The Terms of Service and Chess.com Community Policies primarily govern public forums and comments across the platform. However, private clubs have more flexibility in setting their own rules, with a smaller set of overarching Chess.com rules applying across the site. These site-wide rules include prohibitions against sexual harassment, extreme personal harassment, and clear racism (including the use of racial slurs).
Private clubs may have more relaxed guidelines, but all users should be aware that certain behaviors are never tolerated anywhere on Chess.com.
Everyone should be familiar with Chess.com’s Community Policies and Terms of Service (TOS):
A Common Source of Confusion
Many users wonder whether these rules apply only to public areas of Chess.com or also to private clubs, private messages, and private chats. Based on my understanding, the TOS and Community Policies primarily refer to public spaces on Chess.com, and private clubs often operate under more flexible guidelines. Here are a few examples to clarify:
Public Debates on Religion or Politics
The Chess.com Community Policies state: “Do not publicly debate religious or political topics.” However, many private clubs (especially discussion groups) allow these debates, as long as they are within the club’s specific rules.
Advertising Restrictions
According to the TOS, users may not “post any comments, text, messages, or links in the forums or any public comments that contain advertisements of any kind, including religious, political, or recruiting messages for Chess.com groups, clubs, blogs, or any other content.” Yet, many private clubs allow club recruitment messages and advertisements for matches or tournaments.
Harassment and Kindness Standards
The Community Policies ask members to “Be kind, helpful, and forgiving,” while the TOS prohibits “harassing” or “defamatory” content. From my experience, Chess.com staff sets a higher threshold for what constitutes harassment in private clubs compared to public spaces. Reporting results are often more lenient in private settings.
Privacy Concerns
The TOS prohibits content “invasive of another’s privacy.” For example, sharing quotes or screenshots from private messages in public areas will likely result in removal by staff, but this rule seems to be less strictly enforced in private clubs.
Vulgar or Explicit Content
The TOS bans “vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit” content in public areas. However, some private clubs may allow partial or even full nudity—content that wouldn’t be permitted in public avatars or forums.
Objectionable Posts
While the TOS prohibits “objectionable” posts, private clubs often set their own guidelines for what content is acceptable, as long as it remains within the overarching rules of the platform.
Off-Topic or Spam Posts
The TOS doesn’t allow posts that are “off-topic or irrelevant” in public areas. However, private clubs—especially free speech discussion groups—are free to allow off-topic posts or even tolerate spam.
Conclusion
The Terms of Service and Chess.com Community Policies primarily govern public forums and comments across the platform. However, private clubs have more flexibility in setting their own rules, with a smaller set of overarching Chess.com rules applying across the site. These site-wide rules include prohibitions against sexual harassment, extreme personal harassment, and clear racism (including the use of racial slurs).
Private clubs may have more relaxed guidelines, but all users should be aware that certain behaviors are never tolerated anywhere on Chess.com.
Adapted from the Chess.com Rules for Public Areas vs Private Clubs
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