renewing my account

Yes

Yeah, they do, but if you read the screens when you signed up, they tell you that they do. If you don't want it after it's been auto-renewed, send a message to staff using the "Help & Support" link at the bottom of the page, they will help you out.

No need to contact staff.

To end premium membership see here  http://support.chess.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/76/0/how-can-i-end-my-premium-membership-subscription (link updated 2011 06 01) without asking for a refund. You can do this immediately after paying so there is no auto-renew. You will be reminded at the appropriate time to manually renew.

If closing an account see   http://support.chess.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/2/0/how-do-i-close--delete-my-account  (link updated 2011 06 01)

Hey bflat

To cancel the payments so they don't renew, there is a link at the top of this page

http://www.chess.com/home/account.html

It lets you cancel the renewal but you still have your account here.

I PAID MY DIAMOND MEMBERSHIP $ 98.33 ON APRIL 4, 2011  CHESS.COM  0800318.

HOW COME I HAVE BEEN PAUSED AND CANNOT GET BACK TO MY GAMES?

You have no games, and you've been a member since June 28, 2011.

Try dyrhauge31    :)