Online Chess FAQ – General Background Info

ChessWorld sends notifications as soon as your opponent moves. However, delays can occur for several reasons:

• Your email client might not check frequently enough.
• Your firewall or filters may block mail from chessworld@gmail.com (IP 63.134.215.106).
• Some ISPs block/delay mail they classify as spam.
• Internet traffic or server issues can delay email by hours or days.

If in doubt, check My Current Games directly. ChessWorld is not responsible for your ISP’s delivery quality.

When you changed your email, did you check spelling, avoid spaces/punctuation, and press Submit? These steps are essential.

Your ISP may be blocking our emails. Use Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. Whitelist chessworld@gmail.com and IP 63.134.215.106. If emails reach your webmail but not your ISP inbox, contact your ISP directly.

Some ISPs queue or block emails. A workaround is to create a Gmail account and forward ChessWorld mail to your ISP inbox (via Gmail filters or Gmail forwarding).

Yes. On the login page, enter your Username/Email and click Email My Password. If you receive the reset email, our server is working.

Direct links work only if you’re logged in at chessworld.net or letsplaychess.com. Otherwise, you’ll be taken to the login page first.

Yes. ChessWorld never shares details. Never post them in forums or chat. Only share via the HelpDesk when needed.

Go to My Stuff → My Email. To remove, replace your email with * and click Submit. Deleting alone won’t remove it.

Full Members: up to 35 days per year. Guest limits vary. Unused days do not carry forward.

Go to My Stuff → My Holidays. Choose dates and press Submit. Holidays prevent Claim Win but the game clock continues.

Check your homepage. Opponents will see “Opponent on holiday”. The clock still runs.

Yes. Holiday protects from losses on time but doesn’t prevent play. Misuse is limited to 35 days per year.

Yes. Use End Today or Remove from My Holidays.

Yes. Holiday protects their games, not yours.

Allows ending friendly unrated games before 5 half-moves. Not available in tournaments, team, or Welcomer games.

You can claim/offer a draw under 3-fold repetition, 50-move rule, or impossibility of mate. Repeated offers may be unsporting.

Next: loads the oldest waiting game.
Skip: defers a game, moving it to the back of the queue.
Resign: ends a game after confirmation, updating rating if relevant.

Position Search: between 5–42 half-moves.
Endgame Search: after 42 half-moves and fewer than 20 pieces.

Likely browser caching. Refresh or clear temporary internet files.

Older thematic tournaments may hide taken pieces. If graphics fail, refresh or clear cache. Ensure firewall allows chessworldgraphics.com.

Use browser Print. Enable “Print background graphics” in browser options.

Enable JavaScript and pop-ups. Refresh browser. Check anti-popup software.

Use browser reload (Ctrl+R or F5) or hard refresh (Ctrl+F5). Clear cache via browser settings.

Compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari. Always use the latest version.

Yes, for login convenience. Harmless, no tracking. Blocking cookies disables login.

PayPal/WorldPay update instantly. Cheque/IMO take longer. Log out/in to refresh. Contact HelpDesk with receipt if not updated.

No. ChessWorld does not store payment info. You must renew manually.

No. Due to processing costs, subscriptions are non-refundable.

You can finish current games but cannot start new ones if above Guest limit. Games and ratings are stored permanently.

You may copy for personal research only. Republishing or posting elsewhere is prohibited.

Report immediately to HelpDesk with details. Offenders risk suspension or ban.

Random checks may occur. Reports of engine use are investigated. Action may be taken confidentially.

Settings available under My Stuff. You can toggle goodies, invitations, upload photo, manage friends, etc.

Server downtime is rare (99.9% uptime). ISP issues may cause timeouts—use time limits prudently.

No. ChessWorld acts fairly guided by Terms and Conditions.