Email
Q. How does the Email notification work?
You should be aware that this Email is sent to the address recorded on our database via the
My Stuff ... My Email page. If you change your Email address, ensure that you also update your details; otherwise, you won't receive notifications.
Make sure that you have checked the Turn Chess Move Email ON link on the
My Stuff ... My Email page.
After your opponent makes a move, you will receive an Email showing the latest board position and a link to return to the game.
Note: Sometimes members complain about not receiving notifications when their opponent hasn't moved yet!
Q. Why do my Move notification Emails take so long to reach me?
ChessWorld sends notifications as soon as your opponent moves. However, delays can occur for several reasons:
- Your email client might not check mail frequently enough.
- Your firewall or filters may block or delay mail from chessworld@gmail.com. Allow emails from IP 63.134.215.106.
- Some ISPs block or delay mail they classify as spam, including mail from Yahoo!, Outlook, etc. Gmail seems more reliable, but even then some emails may land in the spam folder.
- Internet traffic or technical issues may delay email by hours or even days.
If in doubt, check the My Current Games page directly.
ChessWorld is not responsible for the quality of email delivery by your ISP.
Q. Since I changed my Email address I don't receive any messages from ChessWorld. Why is that?
When you changed your Email address, did you:
– Check the spelling?
– Avoid adding/omitting any spaces or punctuation?
– Remember to press the Submit button?
Q. I've tried your suggestions but I still don't get any Emails from you. What should I do now?
Your ISP may be blocking our emails without informing you.
To bypass this, consider using a free webmail provider like Gmail, Yahoo!, or Outlook. These typically do not filter email based on ISP rules.
If emails reach your new webmail inbox but not your preferred email, contact your ISP to:
– Ensure IP 63.134.215.106 is not blocked.
– Ensure emails from chessworld@gmail.com are not blocked.
ChessWorld cannot provide ISP-specific support.
Q. I've tried your suggestions but my Emails still take a long time to reach me. What else can I do?
Some ISPs delay or block emails as part of aggressive spam filtering, either rejecting them entirely or queuing them for later delivery.
Delays can range from minutes to over 24 hours.
A workaround: Create a Gmail account and change your ChessWorld email to that Gmail address.
Then, either:
Method 1 – Use Gmail Filters:
– Create a filter in Gmail for "ChessWorld.net".
– Set it to forward mail to your ISP email address.
– Gmail will relay only ChessWorld mail to your normal inbox.
Method 2 – Use Gmail Forwarding:
– Enable forwarding of all Gmail mail to your ISP email address in Gmail’s Settings > Forwarding and POP.
– All Gmail mail will be copied to your usual inbox.
This guide is provided in good faith and focuses only on resolving ChessWorld email issues. Gmail users needing further help should consult Google’s support resources.
Q. Can I check the ChessWorld Email delivery service myself?
Yes. Visit the ChessWorld login page, enter your Username or Email in the Username box,
then click Email My Password .
This sends a Password Reset email with subject ChessWorld Password Reset Requested in both plain text and HTML formats.
No action is required regarding your password. Receiving either version confirms that the ChessWorld email server is functioning.
If you don’t receive the email, and have already checked other suggestions, please contact the HelpDesk.
Q. Why can't I go direct from my Move Notification email to my game?
A direct link to the game is only available when you are logged in via
www.letsplaychess.com or www.chessworld.net. If you're not logged in, you'll be taken to the login page.
The email provides two direct links:
Play your return move by visiting the playing server at letsplaychess.com and
Play your return move by visiting the playing server at chessworld.net. Click either to go to your game.
Other links will connect to the site, but not to the specific game. Using these will usually take you to the next game awaiting your move, as defined in
Play ... My Current Games.
Q. Are my Email and password details secure?
Yes! ChessWorld never shares confidential details with third parties.
You should never share your email or password in the Forums or Chat box.
If necessary, provide such information only via the HelpDesk, where only you and the Admin team can access it.
Q. How can I change my Email address?
Go to the
My Stuff ... My Email page.
You may update your address at any time. Be sure to enter it carefully—this is the only address we use to contact you.
Q. Can you change my Email address for me?
No. Only you can make this change after logging in with your unique Username and Password.
This protects your privacy and prevents unauthorized access to your personal information.
Q. How can I remove my Email address?
Visit the
My Stuff ... My Email page,
select your email address, and replace it with an asterisk: *.
Then press the Submit button.
Important: If you simply delete the email and press Submit, it will not be removed.
Warning: Without an email address, we cannot contact you in the future.
If you lose your password, and your email is not on our database, you won’t be able to reset your password or access your account.
Q. How can I add ChessWorld to my Safe Senders list?
Sometimes your ISP or email client may misidentify ChessWorld emails as spam or junk.
If you're not receiving our emails, check for filtering options that allow you to whitelist our address.
Ensure that chessworld@gmail.com is allowed through to your inbox.
Here are tips for popular email clients (these may vary by version):
- Gmail:
– Open the email
– Click the down arrow beside Reply
– Select Filter messages like this
– Follow the on-screen instructions
- Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail):
– Open the email
– Click Add to contacts
- Yahoo!:
– Open the email
– Click Add sender to Contacts (icon right of sender’s address)
- Outlook (Microsoft Office):
– Open the email
– Right-click the From address
– Click Add to Outlook Contacts
– Click Save and Close
– If prompted, add to Safe Senders list
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith. We are not responsible for errors you may make in setup or configuration.
Q. What happens when I send an Email invitation to a friend?
Use the Join Games ... Invite your Friends option when you wish to invite a friend who is not a Member of ChessWorld.
Simply enter the name of your friend(s) and add their email address(es). You can choose the time limit and your initial opening move playing White. The default values are 10 days per move and 1.e4. You may also add a personal message or greeting. Click Invite! when ready.
A reminder will appear near the top of the page, or use the Review your Email invitations link at the top. This takes you to My Stuff ... My Invitations → Email invitations.
The email is dispatched immediately. If your invitation doesn’t arrive, have your friend whitelist chessworld@gmail.com. ISPs may mark it as spam. See relevant topics in this section for help.
You cannot resend to the same email within 5 days to reduce potential spam.
You can remove any of your invitations at any time via My Stuff ... My Invitations.
Holidays
Q. How much holiday can I book?
All Members can reserve holidays. Full Members: up to 35 days per year. Guest Member limits may vary—see My Stuff ... My Holidays.
Unused days cannot be carried over to the next year.
Q. How do I book a holiday to make sure players cannot claim a win on time against me when I am away?
Visit My Stuff ... My Holidays. Defaults will be pre-filled: Event Name blank, Event Type: I'm on holiday ... “Date From” will default to today.
Select dates using the picker or enter them in YYYY-MM-DD format. Past dates are invalid. Date To must follow Date From.
We recommend adding 1–2 extra days. By default, 1 day is added, but this can be adjusted. Click Submit when done.
Check your booking at My Stuff ... My Holidays. Use Remove to edit.
Holiday runs from 00:00 to 23:59 UK time. Booking prevents win claims, but game clock does not stop!
Q. I've booked my holiday but it doesn't seem to be recorded. Why is that?
Your homepage shows your booking. When active, your opponents will see Opponent on holiday and cannot click Claim Win.
You won’t see this message on your game page, but others can see it on your homepage.
The game clock does not stop!
Q. My Opponent is on holiday but still logs in regularly to play moves. Is this fair?
Yes. Holiday allows time protection but doesn't prevent play. Opponents may still move from time to time.
Holiday misuse for delay is possible but limited to 35 days/year, non-extendable. Time will run out eventually.
The game clock does not stop!
Q. If I return from holiday early, can I amend my holiday booking?
Yes. Before ending it, update your games. Once the holiday ends, time claims become possible again.
Visit My Stuff ... My Holidays and click End Today.
Q. Can I cancel my holiday booking before the holiday starts?
Yes. Visit My Stuff ... My Holidays and click Remove.
To edit, remove the old entry and add a new one. Make changes at least 24 hours in advance if HelpDesk assistance is needed.
Q. Can a player on holiday claim a win against me?
Yes. Holiday protects their games—not yours. The game clock does not stop!
Game Board
Q. What does the Abort button do?
The Abort button allows you to finish certain games without affecting your rating. It is not available in Welcomer, Team or Tournament games in any format.
Friendly games can be aborted by either player until 5 half moves, (half moves are sometimes referred to as 'plies'), have been made. After White has made the third move the button will no longer appear on the game page. If your opponent does not make a move for approximately 20 days the Abort button will become available once more.
Q. What does the Draw button do?
This button functions in several different ways: however you use this option the validity of your action is checked automatically.
If you are playing a game and waiting for your opponent to move, when you click the
Draw button it will change to show
Offer Draw . If you click on this button you will be taken to the
Offer Draw page. At that point you may either confirm your offer, or return to the game board. Returning to the game board removes the draw offer.
If you are playing a game and it is your turn to move, when you click on the
Draw button it will change to display three options. There will be a check box which should be completed if you wish to claim a draw with your move, and there will two buttons,
Claim Draw and
Offer Draw . The
Offer Draw button functions in the manner as described above.
You can claim a draw if the same position, that is, the placing of the pieces is identical, has been reached three times. Typically this will be when the same move sequence has been played three times in succession, but the 'Repetition' rule makes clear that
'If exactly the same position occurs three times in a game then a player may claim a draw'. In other words, the same position may occur over a period of time with various other positions occurring in the meantime. Before you make your next move, you should click the
Draw button, tick the
Claim draw with move box and then submit your move.
You can claim a draw if you can, for example, force stalemate or maintain a perpetual check.
It is also possible to claim a draw under the '50 move' rule. This rule may be invoked when the last 50
consecutive moves have been made by each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture.
In endgames where a solitary King is matched against King, King + Bishop, King + Knight or King + 2 Knights, the player whose turn it is should click the
Draw button and then click the
Claim Draw button. With these combinations it is impossible to achieve mate.
If you are unsure of the rules regarding mandatory draws and draw offers please refer to this
extract from the rules of Chess.
You may offer a draw as many times as you like although you should note that our Terms and Conditions regard
Repeated draw offers ... [as]
... unsporting and unfriendly.
Remember the general rules:
You can
offer a draw at any time but you can only
claim the draw when it is your turn to move.
When it is your turn,
either
click the
Draw button and then the
Claim Draw button,
or
click the
Draw button and then tick the
Claim Draw with Move box,
and, finally, make your move. Provided that the appropriate conditions in the game have been met, you will be awarded the draw automatically.
For detailed and authoritative information check the
FIDE Official Rules ChessWorld implements these Rules insofar as they are applicable to online Chess.
Q. Can I change the action of the Next button?
By default the game that has been waiting for the longest time is always selected. This is intentional: it may be considered to be a courteous gesture to respond to the player who has been waiting longest for your reply. Waiting times are reduced as far as possible and you gain access to the next game with a single mouse click.
Remember that your opponent has no means of knowing your game and time commitments - but they are aware of your response time!
If you visit the
My Stuff ... My Moves page you can, if you prefer, select the
Your turn and least time left option. This will present the games on your Current Games page
and on your game board in that order.
If you wish to respond to your opponents using your own priorities, refer to
Q. How can I manage my game load in the
Playing section of the Chess FAQ's. Failure to make a move within the time limit may give your opponent(s) the chance to claim the game(s).
Q. What does the Skip button do?
The Skip button will only appear on the Game Board before you make a move. The action of this button cannot be changed: like the Next button it examines games in 'age' order, from oldest to newest.
If the Game Board displays a game that you wish to defer, click the Skip button. This will place that game back to the end of the queue.
Consider the following example, using a queue of 5 games. The oldest game, #1, will be at the start of the queue and the newest game, #5, at the end of the queue. The queue is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
You decide to play games #1 and #5 and leave the other games for further study. You play Game #1, so that the queue then becomes 2, 3, 4, 5.
Game #2 is displayed, press Skip , the queue becomes 3, 4, 5, 2.
Game #3 is displayed, press Skip again, the queue becomes 4, 5, 2, 3.
Game #4 is displayed, press Skip once more, the queue becomes 5, 2, 3, 4.
Game #5 is displayed and the queue becomes 2, 3, 4.
After you make your move in Game #5 you log off. When you next log in Game #2 will be displayed.
The effect is to make a 'skipped' game appear 'older' than the time stamp would suggest, although, to avoid confusion, the time stamps displayed on-screen are not changed.
When you press the Skip button the relevant game is placed at the end of the queue. However, if more than one game is skipped then the skipped games are placed in the 'least time left' order.
** Note ** The Skip button offers Members a convenient means to delay playing on selected games during the current on-line session. Please be aware that excessive use of the option, for multiple games, during any given session may result in the rescheduling of games becoming unpredictable.
Q. What happens when I click on the Resign button?
When you click on the Resign button you are indicating that you wish to finish the current game. Because this is a critical decision for you a secondary page will appear on screen and offer you the choice to either confirm your decision to resign or return back to the game board.
If you do confirm your decision, the game will be ended and new page will appear, showing your adjusted rating, where relevant. In addition a number of options will appear offering you a range of different opportunities.
Q. Why can't I see the Position Search button on my game page?
The Position Search button is available when the game in question has been in progress for more than 5 and less than 42 half-moves.
Q. Why can't I see the Endgame Search button on my game page?
The Endgame Search button is available after the game in question has been in progress for more than 42 half-moves and there are fewer than 20 pieces, (including pawns), in play.
Q. How can I remove the links from the side of my Game Board?
If you prefer not to see these links, go to
My Stuff ... My Details
and, next to the entry
Put a convenient link on the Play area when there is a live relay of a major chess event change the selection to
No and then press
Submit at the bottom of the page..
By selecting
No you will remove all links
except:
There are 'n' friends online now
There are 'nn' messages on your homepage
There is a game invitation waiting for you
which will always appear when they are relevant to you.
If you have chosen to use the
Tabbed Style display, via
My Stuff ... My Interface, these links will still appear under the
Msg tab.
Q. Why does my board show an old, or unexpected, game position?
The most likely reason is that your computer is not configured to fetch the latest version of the game every time you visit the site. In such cases we advise you to 'refresh' the screen or to clean up your Temporary Internet Files. Refer to the Computer section below for further information.
Computer
Q. Not all of the pieces seem to be displayed on my game board. Why?
This can happen if you are playing in one of our older Thematic Opening Tournament games. In these Tournaments the board has already been set up in a position chosen by the Tournament organiser. Any pieces that may have been 'taken' in the preliminary moves will not appear at the side of your board. Thematic Tournaments created more recently do show all prior taken pieces. All pieces that are taken by either player during the game will be shown at the side of the board as usual.
Q. Why are some graphics missing from the game board?
Many ChessWorld graphics are stored on a separate server: normally this should cause no problems. However, if some, or all, of the expected components of the display do not appear, you should, as a first step, carry out a Refresh operation on your browser.
If the issue is not resolved you should then clear your Temporary Internet files. These steps should resolve the issue, but if you still experience problems make sure that any Firewall that you may be using allows access to both www.chessworldgraphics.com and www.chessworldgraphics2.com.
If the problem still exists after following these steps please contact the HelpDesk with any relevant details.
Q. How can I print the board to show the pieces and the playing area?
Simply display the appropriate board on your screen and then select the print option for your browser. If you find that the background colours, (the board squares, for example), do not print properly you may need to adjust the settings on your browser.
We cannot give specific advice for all browsers but, for your convenience, the following information may be helpful if you are using one of the more popular browers. Be aware that these procedures may change as and when a new version of your browser is released.
Chrome:
Go to Tools ... Print. In the Print Information sidebar select More Options and then make sure that you place a check against the option Background Graphics.
FireFox:
Go to File ... Page Setup. Select the Format & Options tab and then, in the Options section, make sure that you place a check against the option Print Background (colors&images).
Internet Explorer:
Go to File ... Page Setup. Make sure that you place a check against the option Print Background Colors and Images.
Opera:
Go to Menu ... Print. In the Print Information sidebar select More Options and then make sure that you place a check against the option Background Graphics.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
Q. My drop down menus have disappeared. How do I get them back?
Q. Why can't I see either the board or the pieces after I log in?
Make sure that you have configured your browser to enable JavaScript.
We cannot give specific advice for all browsers but, for your convenience, the following information may be helpful if you are using one of the more popular browers. Be aware that these procedures may change as and when a new version of your browser is released.
Chrome:
Go to Tools ... Settings. In the Privacy section select Content Settings and then make sure that you place a check against the option Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended)
FireFox:
In the address bar, enter about:config and acknowledge the warning box.
Scroll down the left-hand column to javascript.enabled; you may find it convenient to use the search box at the top of the page.
If JavaScript is not enabled the entry will show False. To enable JavaScript, right click on the entry and then click on Toggle. This will change the entry to True and JavaScript will be enabled instantly.
Internet Explorer:
Go to Tools ... Internet Options. Select the Security tab and then select the Internet zone. Next, click on Custom Level . On the resulting screen scroll down until you find the Scripting section. Under the entry for Active scripting, select Enable. You may have to restart your browser for the change to take effect.
Opera:
Go to Menu ... Settings. In the sidebar select Websites and then, in the JavaScript section check the
Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended) option.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
* Please note that if you are experiencing similar issues with the Chess Computer feature the resolution of the problem is different to that described above. Please refer to Q. Why can't I see either the board or the pieces on the Chess Computer feature? below.
Q. What do you mean by 'Refresh', or clear 'Temporary Internet Files'?
Many minor problems are easily resolved simply by 'refreshing' the screen or by clearing the 'Temporary Internet Files'.
Your browser stores copies of the pages that you view when visiting various sites on the Internet so that future visits appear to be faster. This is particularly suitable for pages that do not change often. However, pages such as those provided by ChessWorld contain data that can change frequently. If your browser stores these pages it is possible that you may, occasionally, see an 'old' version displayed causing you some confusion. This is a function of your computer and its configuration and, as such, is beyond the control of ChessWorld.
Q. How can I Refresh my screen?
Refreshing your screen is a process that, in general, makes sure that your computer is displaying the latest, current, information. How you do this may vary with different browsers.
We cannot give specific advice for all browsers but, for your convenience, the following information may be helpful if you are using one of the more popular browers. Be aware that these procedures may change as and when a new version of your browser is released.
Chrome:
Click on the Reload this page icon, or press CTRL + R .
FireFox:
Click on the Reload Current Page icon, or press CTRL + R .
Internet Explorer:
Click on the Refresh icon at the top of the screen or press F5 .
Opera:
Click on the Reload icon, or press CTRL + R .
Alternatively, for all browsers, to force a complete (hard) refresh, press CTRL + F5 . This is recommended if you wish to be certain that you are viewing the latest version of the page.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
Q. How do I clear my Temporary Internet Files?
To make sure that you reduce the risk of seeing out-of-date pages it is often helpful to clear the Temporary Internet Files (cache) from your system. How you do this may vary with different browsers. If you have configured your browser to clear Temporary Internet Files on closedown, the following procedures may still be helpful in some cases.
We cannot give specific advice for all browsers but, for your convenience, the following information may be helpful if you are using one of the more popular browers. Be aware that these procedures may change as and when a new version of your browser is released.
Chrome:
Go to Tools ... History. Click the Clear browsing data ... . In the Clear browsing data section make sure that you have checked the Empty the Cache option, and decide if you wish to clear any other areas, as shown by the check boxes. Finally, choose the appropriate Time range to clear and then press the Clear Browsing Data button.
FireFox:
Go to Tools ... Options. Open the Advanced tab and then the Advanced tab. In the Cached Web Content section press the Clear Now button.
Internet Explorer:
Go to Tools ... Delete Browsing History. In the Temporary Internet Files section, click on the Delete files button.
Opera:
Go to Menu ... History. Click the Clear browsing data ... . In the Clear browsing data section make sure that you have checked the Empty the Cache option, and decide if you wish to clear any other areas, as shown by the check boxes. Finally, choose the appropriate Time range to clear and then press the Clear Browsing Data button.
iPad:
Select Settings ... Safari and then choose your preferred option. To clear all Temporary files as well as any cookies that you may have stored tap Clear History and Website Data, and then tap Clear. If you prefer to preserve any cookies then tap Advanced followed by Website Data. You may select and delete ChessWorld and LetsPlayChess site(s) from the list or simply tap the Remove all Website Data option.
Removing these temporary files will cause no harm to your computer.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
Q. I have tried your suggestions but my display is still incorrect. What can I do now?
If you are using Internet Explorer and there are errors, omissions or inconsistencies in your display, and the other suggestions (Refresh, Clear Temporary Internet Files) do not work, there may be a more subtle issue with the local settings on your browser.
Select Tools ... Internet Options, and on the General tab, click the Settings button, which appears in the Temporary Internet Files section. You will be presented with a choice of four options to Check for newer versions of stored pages.
The two options Every time you start Internet Explorer and Never are not normally relevant for regular visits to a website and should not be checked. The other two — Every visit to the page and Automatically — appear similar but behave differently.
Selecting Every visit to the page might cause minor visual issues on some pages. Choosing Automatically generally avoids those issues and ensures features like drag-and-drop in ChessWorld's Analysis board work smoothly.
For AOL users:
Select Settings from the AOL Home page toolbar, then go to Internet (web browser) settings on the Preferences page. From there, choose Internet Explorer settings, and then click the Delete Files button. Finally, click Settings and review the Check for newer versions of stored pages option.
This setting’s behavior is an Internet Explorer-specific quirk.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
Q. Why does Internet Explorer stop me from seeing my moves?
Internet Explorer uses sophisticated security processes to prevent phishing attacks. These defaults may block full display of all content sent from our servers.
To test if this is the issue, go to Tools, select SmartScreen Filter, and click Turn off SmartScreen Filter.
If the issue persists, check your firewall settings.
Q. Does ChessWorld use cookies?
Yes. ChessWorld places a cookie on your computer when you first log in to improve your experience. Cookies enable features like Auto-login and Keep on the login page, though their use is optional.
The cookie is harmless and does not collect personal data or track browsing habits.
If you block cookies from ChessWorld, you will not be able to log in!
Be aware: some competitor sites use third-party tracking cookies, which may compromise your privacy.
Q. I understand why you place cookies, but how can I remove them?
You can remove cookies using your browser settings.
We cannot give specific advice for all browsers, but the following may help if you're using a popular one:
Chrome:
Go to Menu ... History, click Clear browsing data ... , check Delete cookies and other site data, and choose the appropriate time range.
Firefox:
Go to Tools ... Options > Privacy, then in the History section click Show Cookies to manage them manually.
Internet Explorer:
Go to Tools ... Internet Options, select the General tab, and under Browsing History click Delete . Check Cookies before confirming.
To delete individual cookies:
Cookies now have encrypted filenames (e.g., FHODYSOB.txt). To find them:
Navigate to:
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
Use Windows Explorer to reach this folder, perform a search, and enable Include non-indexed, hidden and system files in advanced search. Right-click a result to Open (view it) or Delete.
This allows selective deletion of ChessWorld cookies only. If using third-party file managers, this process may be easier.
Opera:
Go to Menu ... History, click Clear browsing data ... , check Delete cookies and other site data, then proceed.
* Cookies are generally useful and often essential. Do not remove all cookies unless you know the implications.
ChessWorld offers this advice in good faith and can take no responsibility for any errors or mistakes that you may make!
Q. Why can't two different Members use my computer to play on ChessWorld?
If two different players wish to use your computer to access ChessWorld this is possible provided that they each use different URLs to log in. We suggest that one player uses www.chessworld.net and the other uses www.letsplaychess.com.
If more than two Members wish to use your computer, please contact the HelpDesk for further guidance.
Q. Can I place a shortcut to ChessWorld on my Desktop?
Yes, you can do this very easily. If you are using Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer you will see a small icon that appears at the start of the address line at the top of your browser. If you click on that and drag it to your Desktop you will have a convenient shortcut to the ChessWorld site. This icon is sometimes known as a favicon.
You should ensure that you copy the icon that appears on the ChessWorld login page, as this will then link to that page in future. If you copy the link from any other page you will be creating a direct link to that specific page only which will not provide a convenient way to our login page.
Q. How can I print a page, or screen, from ChessWorld?
Certain ChessWorld pages offer a specially configured
Print option. Where this appears we advise that you use it for your own convenience. In other cases, you may copy one or more pages for your own research.
The easiest method is to use your browser's
Print ... option. We recommend using
Print Preview first to avoid unwanted extra content or pages. This helps reduce paper usage.
Printed pages reflect the screen layout and may look less polished. A more convenient alternative is to use basic copy-and-paste procedures common to all browsers.
There are some restrictions on copying material from ChessWorld. Please refer to
Q. As the content of ChessWorld is copyright, how does that affect me? in the
Miscellaneous section below.
Q. How can I Copy and Paste?
The Copy and Paste technique is common to all computers and is easy to use.
Place the cursor at the start of the material, then hold down the left mouse button and drag over the content. Right-click on the highlighted text and choose
Copy.
To paste, right-click in a text input box (such as a ChessWorld message area) and select
Paste.
Keyboard shortcuts: use
CTRL +
C to copy, and
CTRL +
V to paste.
Note: this does not copy images. Use your browser’s
Print command to copy game boards.
For copyright-related questions, see
Q. As the content of ChessWorld is copyright, how does that affect me?.
Q. When I click Submit my settings do not change. Why is that?
ChessWorld Members can change many settings using the My Stuff ... pages. After making changes, press the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
This problem may occur if you are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to the latest version to ensure compatibility.
Q. Can you help me make my computer/browser more responsive to ChessWorld?
No. ChessWorld provides general advice in good faith, but managing your computer/browser is your responsibility.
If you are unsure about local settings, consult an expert before making changes. Even small tweaks can cause instability or crashes.
Q. Which browser does ChessWorld recommend?
ChessWorld does not dictate your browser choice, but we aim to be compatible with all modern platforms. We encourage reports of issues so we can address them.
All ChessWorld features are compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari.
We strongly recommend using the most recent version of your browser. This helps ensure high performance and guards against security threats.
Q. Why can't I see either the board or the pieces on the Chess Computer feature?
This information is maintained to provide general guidance about Java.
*** It is not applicable to the current Chess Computer feature! ***
If you do not have Java installed, or if your Java applets are not functioning correctly, then you will not be able to see the playing area. If you are using Windows, a quick check via the Control Panel will show if the Java Control Panel is installed; however, this does not confirm the Java applets are working correctly. For a more definitive check, visit the
Java verification page.
If you see a button labelled
Verify Java Version , then Java is installed and working. If you still cannot see the board, please check other relevant options in this section.
If you do not see the button, follow the on-screen instructions to install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You may be prompted to allow plugins or scripts depending on your browser security settings. During installation, you might see an offer to install the
Yahoo Toolbar; uncheck this if you do not want it.
After installation, retry the
Chess Computer feature—it should now function normally.
* Java is widely used and safe to install. If issues persist, consult the Java Help Center. ChessWorld offers basic Java advice in good faith, but your system configuration is your responsibility.
Q. Why can't I open Java to use the Chess Computer feature?
This information is maintained to provide general guidance about Java.
*** It is not applicable to the current Chess Computer feature! ***
To enable Java and use the
Chess Computer feature, you may need to override Java’s default security settings.
From the
Start menu, go to
Settings and open the
Control Panel.
Locate and open the
Java Control Panel.
Go to the
Security tab and click
Edit Site List in the
Exception Site List section.
Click
Add and enter the following URLs:
https://www.letsplaychess.com
https://www.chessworld.net
Click
OK to close.
You may see a warning that including an HTTP location is considered a risk. There is no known risk with the sites listed above—click
Continue.
When you next access the
Chess Computer feature, simply click as prompted to proceed.
For more info, visit the
Java Security Help Page.
* Certain platforms (e.g. iPads) may not support Java without special steps that may violate the manufacturer’s terms. ChessWorld cannot assist in such cases.
Subscriptions
Q. I've recently paid my subscription. Why do I still appear as a Guest Member?
If you have paid by UK cheque or International Money Order (IMO), it will take a few days for the payment to arrive and be processed. Once received, your membership status will change—try logging out and back in to check.
If you paid via PayPal or RBS WorldPay, the confirmation is electronic and usually immediate. Once you get the electronic receipt, log out and log back in to see the update.
** If your subscription has not activated after payment, contact the HelpDesk and include a copy of the electronic receipt from PayPal or RBS WorldPay.
** If you do not have a receipt, contact the payment provider directly—ChessWorld cannot help without one.
Q. Do you renew my subscription automatically as soon as it expires?
No. ChessWorld respects your privacy and will never renew your subscription automatically.
ChessWorld does not store your payment information. All transactions are handled securely by
PayPal or
RBS WorldPay.
We will send a reminder to your registered email shortly before your subscription expires. To receive it, ensure your email is current via the
My Stuff ... My Email page.
Q. How can I cancel my Account?
Visit the
My Stuff ... My Email page and remove your email address. If unsure how, see
Q. How can I remove my Email address? in the Email section.
Then press
Submit . This will prevent further contact and effectively close your account.
Previous games and data are retained as part of the site’s record system and cannot be deleted. You may still access your account using your password, which remains private unless changed.
Keeping your password allows you to return to ChessWorld in the future if you wish.
Q. Why do you offer three different subscription rates?
ChessWorld has a standard subscription rate in US Dollars.
For convenience, we also offer equivalent rates in £ Sterling (GBP) and Euros (€), adjusted periodically based on exchange rate averages. These equivalents are not updated daily but reflect long-term exchange rate trends.
Q. What is the current subscription rate?
You can check the current rate at
My Stuff ... My Subscriptions.
The standard rate is in US Dollars, but equivalent rates in £ Sterling (GBP) and Euros (€) are also available.
Q. Can I get a refund on my subscription?
No. Due to processing costs, we do not offer refunds on subscriptions.
Q. What happens to my games in progress if I do not renew my Subscription?
Your playing history and ongoing games are stored permanently.
If your subscription expires, you can still finish current games, and your rating will continue to update as those games complete.
If your gameload exceeds the Guest limit, you won’t be able to start new games until it drops below that limit.
Miscellaneous
Q. As the content of ChessWorld is copyright, how does that affect me?
All content on ChessWorld (including associated sites) is the intellectual property of ChessWorld or licensed by original owners. This includes layout, presentation, and underlying code.
Members are permitted to copy content for personal research or information.
However, no pages, content, or presentations may be reused for any other purpose. Posting such material to other websites is strictly forbidden and violates the Terms and Conditions agreed to at registration. Breaches may result in exclusion or further legal action at ChessWorld's discretion.
Q. Abusive / Offensive posts. How should I deal with them?
If you receive abusive or offensive messages (on the game board or your homepage), contact the HelpDesk immediately.
Mark your message subject as
Abusive Post. Include the game number (if relevant), the offender’s name, and a copy of the message (use copy/paste).
ChessWorld will take immediate action. Offenders will be warned and may be suspended or banned. Messages with racial, religious, or political abuse or offensive language are a breach of our
Terms and Conditions.
Q. Does ChessWorld monitor my games?
Like other chess sites, we conduct random checks based on rating, playing history, or activity. When we do so, we refer to our
MEMBER ASSISTANCE AND FAIR PLAY section in the
Terms and Conditions and ask for acknowledgment of compliance.
We also review reports from Members alleging opponents use assistance (e.g. engines).
If evidence is found, ChessWorld may take appropriate confidential action at our discretion.
Q. What can I do to prevent video, audio or interactive material appearing on my Homepage?
ChessWorld allows limited HTML in homepages to personalize text or include media links. While this allows expression, such content can slow page loading for users with slower connections.
To disable such features on other homepages, go to the
My Stuff ... My Interface page and select the option in
Allow HTML and other interactive resources when viewing Homepage. Check
Don't process ... to disable display of others' homepage media.
You can still include and view content on your own homepage. Other users may not see it if they have disabled this feature.
You can temporarily allow such content on another user’s homepage by clicking the
View HTML content link at the bottom. Click again to disable.
Q. What length restrictions are there on Message and Forum posts?
There is a practical limit of approximately 1500 words (~7900 characters) per post, whether messaging a Member or posting to a Forum. This helps reduce server load and prevent timeouts.
If your post exceeds the limit, you'll receive an error and must shorten it before posting. PGNs also count toward the total.
To avoid losing long posts, compose them in a text editor (like Notepad) first, then paste into the message box.
Q. How can I check my old messages?
Visit
My Stuff ... My Messages and select
Outgoing Messages.
You'll see recent messages, assuming the recipient hasn’t deleted their copy. Older messages may be archived and not readily accessible.
Q. Can I send messages in bulk to my opponents?
No. ChessWorld prohibits bulk messages to prevent potential spam.
If you're part of a Tournament, use a Tournament forum instead—available through Tournament Organisers.
Q. How can I receive, or stop receiving, goodies?
Go to
My Stuff ... My Details and toggle the option labeled
I am willing to receive 'goodies' on my player homepage ...
*** It is not possible to block the Handshake goodie! ***
Q. How can I block, or unblock, goodies?
On your homepage, click the Goodies tab, then Edit Goodie preferences.
There you can block or allow specific goodies. Opponents will only see the goodies you’ve allowed.
*** It is not possible to block the Handshake goodie! ***
Q. Why do I never receive any Goodies?
Check if you’ve allowed goodies via the option on the
My Stuff ... My Details page:
I am willing to receive 'goodies' on my player homepage from other members – set it to
Yes.
Also refer to:
Q. How can I block, or unblock, goodies? above.
Q. How can I turn my Invitations on or off?
Q. How can I upload a picture to my Homepage?
Q. Can I add / remove a game from my Game Collection?
Yes. Visit your homepage and click on the See game collection link. On the next page you will see four clickable links: View all member game collections | Add a game bookmark | Delete a game bookmark | Edit a game bookmark.
On those links "game bookmark" refers to entries in your game collection(s). Choose the appropriate option and follow the instructions on the next page.
Q. Can I invite a friend to a game on ChessWorld?
Yes!
However, if you are a Guest Member, you can only invite someone who is not yet registered with ChessWorld. You will need their current email address.
As a Full Member, you can invite any other player—whether they are a Full Member, Guest Member, or not yet a Member of ChessWorld.
Q. How can I remove someone from the My Friends page?
You can remove an entry by checking the box next to the name and clicking the Delete Ticked button.
You may also see names at the top of your list who have added you as a friend. You cannot remove these directly—please contact them and ask to be removed from their list.
If they're not on your own list, you’ll see a "+" next to their name; click it to add them as a Reciprocated Friend.
Q. Why can't I see the Globe icon 
showing the number of countries I've played?
If you've played opponents from 20+ countries, the Globe icon can appear on your play page.
To activate it, visit Opponent Statistics and select Group by Country. If confirmed, the icon will appear next time you log in.
Note: The number updates dynamically. If an opponent changes their country flag, your total may drop and the icon may disappear.
Q. Why can't I remove my website address from my Homepage Details?
Replace the entry with either a space or a period (.) and click Submit .
Simply deleting the address and submitting will not work.
Q. Can you provide any assistance for color-impaired Members?
Full Members can customize interface colors by visiting
My Stuff … My Interface.
Options include board colors, page background, and menu text. Guest Members do not have access to these features.
Q. What can I do if my ISP is offline?
ChessWorld cannot control your internet service. Use time limits prudently to avoid timeouts.
If you cannot move in time due to connection issues, opponents may claim your games.
Q. What can I do if the ChessWorld server is offline?
It is highly unlikely that the ChessWorld server will go offline. We invest heavily in infrastructure and consistently maintain at least 99.9% reliability (less than 8 hours offline per year).
Occasionally, there may be brief service breaks for maintenance, and we aim to give advance notice.
If extended downtime occurs beyond our control, we may reconfigure timers so Members are not penalized.
No action is needed on your part except to make prudent use of time limits.
For more details, see the
Quality of Service section in our
Terms and Conditions.
Q. I disagree with something. Is there a formal appeals procedure?
No. ChessWorld always strives to act fairly and reasonably. Our decisions are guided by the
Terms and Conditions and the FAQ, which we believe cover all reasonably foreseeable situations.
Chessworld.net founded in 2000 is an online chess site.
