Dear chess.com

If you're serious about giving me a free 10 day trial of upgraded access, why the need to give a credit card number?? I'll pass, thank you, until you remove that requirement.

Because they're hoping you forget to cancel so it lapses past 10 days and they get to charge you.

Or

"To make it easier for you when you decide to continue with the premium services!"

Or to prevent you from making another account and using that to get another free trial.

I could be remembering wrong, but they set it up to automatically charge you past the end date, though, don't they? Why do that if it's only for identity purposes?

Yes, that's default. But they give a refund if you cancel and ask for it.

How long is the free trail?