ChessWorld.net, founded in 2000, is an online chess site. Play relaxed, friendly correspondence-style chess — with online daily, turn-based games — at your own pace.

📚 Chess Courses – Openings, Tactics, Middlegame, Endgames

ChessWorld - FAQ Contents

Welcome to the central help hub for ChessWorld. Whether you are troubleshooting connection issues, looking for tournament rules, or managing your account settings, this index is designed to get you back to the board quickly. Browse the categorized questions below to find immediate answers to the most common inquiries regarding gameplay, technical support, and community features.

Top 10 Chess General Tournaments Teams Ratings Time Limits Conditional Moves Features Newbies Welcomers Preferences

To read the content go to the appropriate FAQ page by clicking the headings below or the buttons above.

Couldn't find the answer you were looking for? Message the HelpDesk.

Top 10 FAQ's

Here are the most common questions players ask about the ChessWorld platform and gameplay features.

Q. Why can't I move? Why can't I see the board or pieces properly?
Q. What should I do if my opponent doesn't move?
Q. Why did my Tournament games time out (T-T)?
Q. Why is my Rating prediction behaving so strangely?
Q. Why don't I receive Email move notifications any more?
Q. Why does a finished game show up every time I log in?
Q. Why isn't the Analysis board working?
Q. I recently won a Tournament. Why haven't I got my Norm/Trophy yet?
Q. Can I pay for my subscription without a credit card?

Chess FAQ's

Chess - the basics

Q. How do I move the pieces?
Q. I am sure I made a legal move, so why doesn't the board accept it?
Q. How do I know when it is my turn to move?
Q. Castling. How do I castle my King into safety?
Q. I'm sure my opponent made an illegal move with his pawn. How can that happen?
Q. How do I promote a pawn to a piece?
Q. I am not sure of all the Rules of Chess. Where can I find a quick reminder of them?
Q. Where can I find more information about Chess on the site?

Playing on ChessWorld

Q. On the Login page, it says Unlimited no. of games - free! Are there any conditions attached?
Q. What's so great out about this type of chess?
Q. How do I seek out opponents for games?
Q. Why doesn't my opponent move immediately?
Q. Why is it recommended to play more than one 'current' game?
Q. Why does an old game keep appearing as soon as I log in?
Q. Why do I often have to click on a piece several times in order to move it?
Q. Can I ask for my game to be reinstated?
Q. Can I take back my move?
Q. How can I claim a win?
Q. How can I claim, or offer, a draw?
Q. What happens if my Opponent offers a Draw?
Q. How do I know I have been offered a draw?
Q. Which Analysis Board should I choose?
Q. Can I configure the Analysis board?
Q. How can I flip the Analysis Board?
Q. Is there a limit on the number of games that I can undertake?
Q. How can I check the current state of my games?
Q. I didn't know I had some new games. What should I do?
Q. What should I do if I have too many games?
Q. Why have I been marked as a sandbagger?
Q. I have too many games. Can you remove them for me and adjust my playing record?
Q. I have too many games. How can I remove some, or all, of them?
Q. What happens when I create some new games?
Q. Why have I got games in a Tournament even though I never saw an invite?
Q. Why have I got some unexpected extra games?
Q. How can I manage my game load?
Q. What should I do if I wish to stop, or delay, playing?
Q. How can I set up my own (user defined) position on the board?
Q. Can I keep private notes to plan my next move(s)?
Q. How can I check which Openings I have used?
Q. Is there a board where I can play through games from a book or magazine?
Q. Can I play Blitz Chess on ChessWorld?
Q. Can I play Fischer Random, (Chess960 or Shuffle Chess), games on ChessWorld?
Q. Can the way I play breach the Terms and Conditions?

Coaching

Q. How can I become a Coach?
Q. How can I find a Coach?
Q. How can I find the best Coach?
Q. Can I choose a Coach with a lower rating than my own?
Q. Who can start a Coaching game?
Q. How can I take a move back?
Q. How can I take more than one move back?
Q. Can I insert several moves for one player?
Q. What do the extra buttons on the Analyse page do?
Q. How can I see all of the different boards in my current Coaching Game?
Q. How can I send messages to my Opponent?
Q. Can I enter Coaching notes on the main game board page?
Q. How many stem games can I create?
Q. Why would I need stem games?
Q. Can I go back to a previous stem game?
Q. Can I abort a stem game and later reinstate it for further study or demonstration?
Q. Why can't I use drag and drop on the Analysis board?

General FAQ's

Email

Q. How does the Email notification work?
Q. Why do my Move notification Emails take so long to reach me?
Q. Since I changed my Email address I don't receive any messages from ChessWorld. Why is that?
Q. I've tried your suggestions but I still don't get any Emails from you. What should I do now?
Q. I've tried your suggestions but my Emails still take a long time to reach me. What else can I do?
Q. Can I check the ChessWorld Email delivery service myself?
Q. Why can't I go direct from my Move Notification email to my game?
Q. Are my Email and password details secure?
Q. How can I change my Email address?
Q. Can you change my Email address for me?
Q. How can I remove my Email address?
Q. How can I add ChessWorld to my Safe Senders list?
Q. What happens when I send an Email invitation to a friend?

Holidays

Q. How much holiday can I book?
Q. How do I book a holiday to make sure players cannot claim a win on time against me when I am away?
Q. I've booked my holiday but it doesn't seem to be recorded. Why is that?
Q. My Opponent is on holiday but still logs in regularly to play moves. Is this fair?
Q. If I return from holiday early, can I amend my holiday booking?
Q. Can I cancel my holiday booking before the holiday starts?
Q. Can a player on holiday claim a win against me?

Game Board

Q. What does the Abort button do?
Q. What does the Draw button do?
Q. Can I change the action of the Next button?
Q. What does the Skip button do?
Q. What happens when I click on the Resign button?
Q. Why can't I see the Position Search button on my game page?
Q. Why can't I see the Endgame Search button on my game page?
Q. How can I remove the links from the side of my Game Board?
Q. Why does my board show an old, or unexpected, game position?

Computer

Q. Not all of the pieces seem to be displayed on my game board. Why?
Q. Why are some graphics missing from the game board?
Q. How can I print the board to show the pieces and the playing area?
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?
Q. What do you mean by 'Refresh', or clear 'Temporary Internet Files'?
Q. How can I Refresh my screen?
Q. How do I clear my Temporary Internet Files?
Q. I have tried your suggestions but my display is still incorrect. What can I do now?
Q. Why does Internet Explorer stop me from seeing my moves?
Q. Does ChessWorld use cookies?
Q. I understand why you place cookies, but how can I remove them?
Q. Why can't two different Members use my computer to play on ChessWorld?
Q. Can I place a shortcut to ChessWorld on my Desktop?
Q. How can I print a page, or screen, from ChessWorld?
Q. How can I Copy and Paste?
Q. When I click Submit my settings do not change. Why is that?
Q. Can you help me make my computer/browser more responsive to ChessWorld?
Q. Which browser does ChessWorld recommend?
Q. Why can't I see either the board or the pieces on the Chess Computer feature?
Q. Why can't I open Java to use the Chess Computer feature?

Subscriptions

Q. I've recently paid my subscription. Why do I still appear as a Guest Member?
Q. Do you renew my subscription automatically as soon as it expires?
Q. How can I cancel my Account?
Q. Why do you offer three different subscription rates?
Q. What is the current subscription rate?
Q. Can I get a refund on my subscription?
Q. What happens to my games in progress if I do not renew my Subscription?

Miscellaneous

Q. As the content of ChessWorld is copyright, how does that affect me?
Q. Abusive / Offensive posts. How should I deal with them?
Q. Does ChessWorld monitor my games?
Q. What can I do to prevent video, audio or interactive material appearing on my Homepage?
Q. What length restrictions are there on Message and Forum posts?
Q. How can I check my old messages?
Q. Can I send messages in bulk to my opponents?
Q. How can I receive, or stop receiving, goodies?
Q. How can I block, or unblock, goodies?
Q. Why do I never receive any Goodies?
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?
Q. Can I invite a friend to a game on ChessWorld?
Q. How can I remove someone from the My Friends page?
Q. Why can't I see the Globe icon showing the number of Countries that I have played?
Q. Why can't I remove my website address from my Homepage Details?
Q. Can you provide any assistance for color-impaired Members?
Q. What can I do if my ISP is offline?
Q. What can I do if the ChessWorld server is offline?
Q. I disagree with something. Is there a formal appeals procedure?

Tournaments FAQ's

Q. What types of Tournaments are there?
Q. How can I create a Tournament?
Q. What else should consider before I create a Tournament?
Q. How many games will I play in a Tournament?
Q. I have created a Tournament and now wish to cancel it. What should I do?
Q. How can I leave a Tournament?
Q. A Tournament which I joined / created seems to have been withdrawn. What has happened?
Q. What are Tournament Norms and when are they calculated?
Q. How many Norms will I get if I win a Tournament?
Q. Can I check how I achieved my Norms?
Q. What is a Tournament Title?
Q. In an All-play-All Tournament, what happens when two players finish on the same points?
Q. How will I know when a Knock Out Tournament starts?
Q. What happens when a Knock Out Tournament game ends in a Draw?
Q. In a Tournament, what happens when you do not claim a win on time?
Q. Why does the My Tournaments page show old Tournaments?
Q Why didn't I get an Email to advise me that a Tournament had started?
Q. I'm eligible to play in a Tournament but I can't join it. Why?
Q. What is a Thematic Tournament?
Q. What is an Open Tournament?
Q. What is a Strength or Class Tournament?
Q. What is a Repeatable Tournament?
Q. What is the TPR?

ChessWorld Simuls

Q. What is a ChessWorld Simul?
Q. What is the difference between a Host and a Challenger?
Q. How can I create a ChessWorld Simul?
Q. Why are ChessWorld Simuls run continuously?
Q. How can I play in a ChessWorld Simul?
Q. How can I finish my ChessWorld Simul?
Q. What happens if a Simul is set for Friends Only?
Q. What do the Icons mean on the ChessWorld Simul page.
Q. Is there an easy way to manage timed out games?
Q. How can I check my ChessWorld Simul performance?
Q. Can my rating be affecting by playing in a ChessWorld Simul?
Q. Can I earn any Norms for winning games in my ChessWorld Simul?
Q. Why do some of my Wins not appear in my W/D/L statistics?
Q. How can I check my performance in my Simul?
Q. How can I check the performance of a Host in other Simuls?
Q. Can I create more than one ChessWorld Simul to run at the same time?
Q. Can I still Host my ChessWorld Simul if my subscription expires?
Q. How can I manage my Holiday bookings when I am Hosting a ChessWorld Simul?
Q. Why are there two different Simul icons?

Pyramids

Q. How can I play a Pyramid game?
Q. How can I make a Pyramid challenge?
Q. Is there a rating restriction in a Pyramid?
Q. How can I leave a Pyramid Tournament?
Q. How can I check on my Pyramid games?
Q. What are the Rules when playing Pyramid games?

Teams FAQ's

Q. What are Teams?
Q. Why play in a Team?
Q. How does a Captain decide board order?
Q. How does a Captain change board order?
Q. How does a Captain effectively promote a Team to get seven players?
Q. Are there substitution possibilities if a Team member stops playing for whatever reason?
Q. Why have some of my Team Members been given a status of 90?
Q. How many strong players are allowed in a Team?
Q. What are the different board orders?
Q. Can I join more than one Team?
Q. Can I be the Captain of more than one Team?
Q. How can I leave a Team?
Q. When does a League division start?
Q. Can we play matches before the League division starts?
Q. Are there plans for more than 5 Teams per division?
Q. How many players can I recruit to my Team?
Q. What if I want a big Team - more than 7 players?

Ratings FAQ's

Q. How are Ratings calculated?
Q. Why have a Rating system?
Q. What model is the ChessWorld rating system based on?
Q. What are the peculiarities of this model?
Q. Why does the rating fluctuate heavily in my first few rated games?
Q. Does everyone start off with a 1400 rating?
Q. I already have an official chess rating - can I start off with this rating?
Q. I am much weaker than 1400 - can I lower it to start off with ?
Q. Can I play rated games as a Guest Member?
Q. Why are games less than or equal to 10 half moves are not counted towards rating?
Q. Can I see the full rating predictions of a win/loss/draw?
Q. What other factors affect ratings?
Q. Can I play in Tournaments with players who have a similar rating?
Q. The rating predictor seems to have got it wrong - is this possible?
Q. Can I change my Playing Strength on my home page?
Q. What are the ChessWorld Rating Playing Strength classifications?
Q. What does my Percentile ranking mean?
Q. What does the Rating Graph mean? Is it any help to me?
Q. What should a 'normal' Rating Graph look like?
Q. Is it possible to extend the range of the Rating Graph?
Q. Can I change my Rating Graph to show games in date order?
Q. Can I compare my ChessWorld Rating with other Rating systems?
Q. Who, or what, is HERA?
Q. Is the HERA value a reliable indicator of my Opponents ability?
Q. Why have I got different HERA values?
Q. Is there an easy way to check my HERA?
Q. What does Tournament Performance Rating, TPR, mean?
Q. What is an Upset?
Q. What does SD mean when it appears on the Opponent Statistics page?
Q. Why are two different Ratings shown on the boards of completed games?

Time Limits FAQ's

Q. What are Time Limits?
Q. What are Fixed Time Limits and how do they work?
Q. What is the '10 in 50' Variable Time Limit and how does it work?
Q. How do the Time Limits work when I am on holiday?
Q. How are Time Limits monitored?
Q. How does ChessWorld record time?
Q. How can I use the Average Time Per Move information on my Homepage?

Conditional Moves FAQ's

Q. What are Conditional moves?
Q. How do I create Conditional moves?
Q. What does each new Conditional row represent?
Q. How will I know if my opponent has submitted a Conditional move?
Q. What happens if I play a move that my opponent has anticipated?
Q. Can my opponent see the moves that I have planned before they make their move?
Q. How can I make sure that I don't receive, or send, any Conditional moves?
Q. What will happen if I decide I don't want Conditional moves during a game?
Q. Can I enter moves that will checkmate my opponent?
Q. Why can't I make the Conditional Moves feature work on my computer?

Features FAQ's

Forums

Q. How can I test any procedures outlined below?
Q. How can I represent a chess position?
Q. How can I represent a replayable game?
Q. How can I put a hint on the forum?
Q. How can I quote someone in the forum?
Q. How can I use Forum shortcuts to games or tournaments on the site?
Q. Can I check all of my previous Forum posts?
Q. My Forum post was rejected because it contained 'inappropriate content'. Why?
Q. Can I post anything I like to a Forum?
Q. Why can't I post to a Forum?
Q. How can I search the Forums?
Q. How can I subscribe to / unsubscribe from a Forum?
Q. Why do I get Emails from a Forum that I have not subscribed to?
Q. What should I do if I find an abusive or offensive post in a Forum?
Q. Is it safe to post my Email address on a ChessWorld Forum?
Q. When should I use the HelpDesk?
Q. Why is it not possible to make frequent posts to the HelpDesk?

Annotations

Q. How can I submit a game to be annotated?
Q. How can I visually annotate a chess position?
Q. How can I post games and annotations from another site?
Q. What symbols should I use in my annotations?
Q. What should I do to provide a good annotation?
Q. Can I use an engine to help me annotate a game?
Q. How can I prevent my unfinished annotation from being removed?
Q. Can I annotate my game while it is in progress?
Q. Can I store my work until I have finished my annotation?
Q. Can I include variations in my annotation?
Q. Are there any formatting rules when I add variations to my annotation?
Q. Can I add and label a series of variations, related to a particular move, to my annotation?
Q. Is there any difference between preparing annotations for unfinished and completed games?
Q. Can I delete an annotation that I have started?
Q. Can I delete an annotation request that I have made?
Q. Can I copy an annotated game from ChessWorld on to my own computer?
Q. How can I get an Annotators Icon?

Puzzles

Q. How can I use the ChessWorld Puzzle feature?
Q. How can I attempt to solve a rated puzzle?
Q. How can I try a Think Like the Masters puzzle?
Q. How can I create a Think Like the Masters puzzle?
Q. Can I promote a piece in a puzzle?
Q. How can I try again?
Q. Can other Members see my individual Puzzle statistics?
Q. How can I improve my puzzle solving skills?
Q. Can I use a Rated Puzzle to improve my playing ability?
Q. What should I do if I find an error in one of the solutions?
Q. Can I create and add a puzzle to the ChessWorld database?
Q. Why can't I create a puzzle?
Q. How can I get a Puzzle Icon?
Q. Can I turn off the sound effects?

Masters Collection

Q. What is the Masters Collection?
Q. What is the difference between the Learn from the Masters and Play like the Masters features?
Q. How can I use the search filter at the top of the Masters Collection page?
Q. Is there a quick and easy way to search the Masters Collection?
Q. How can I use the game board in the search filter?
Q. How can I hide the search filter box at the top of the page?
Q. How can I show the search filter box?
Q. Why is my search limited to 1000 results?
Q. Why does my search sometimes fail?
Q. How can I use the Play like the Masters feature?
Q. How can I check for Chess videos?
Q. Can I kibitz on any Masters game?
Q. How can I find out more about World Champions?
Q. How can I use the ECO navigator?
Q. How can I check active FIDE Rated players?
Q. Can I find Tournament games from a particular year?
Q. Can I study the games from any Tournament?
Q. How can I find examples of Brilliancies?
Q. Can I annotate a Masters game?
Q. How can I find annotations based upon specific positions?
Q. What are Quick Game Picks?
Q. What are the Collections?
Q. How can I use the Endgame Search link?
Q. Is there an easy way to learn from the Masters?
Q. How can I find out if a Master has played against World Champions?
Q. Can I find out if a player achieved a major upset against another player?
Q. How can I return to the Masters Collection home page?

PGN files

Q. How can I export PGN files?
Q. How can I import PGN files into a Chess Application?
Q. How can I import PGN files into a Chess Database?
Q. Can I copy a game from a Chess Database into my forum posting?
Q. How can I post playable games?
Q. How can I post games to invite comments?
Q. What is PGN Notation?

BookFinder

Q. How can I use the BookFinder?
Q. How can I write or request Book reviews?
Q. How can I add a book to my homepage?

Spreadsheets

Q. Which spreadsheet does ChessWorld recommend?
Q. Is it possible to use ChessWorld data in a spreadsheet?
Q. How can I use a preconfigured Google Sheets spreadsheet?
Q. Can I rearrange the order in which data is displayed in the spreadsheet?
Q. Can I rearrange the order in which columns are displayed in the spreadsheet?
Q. Can I delete a column from the spreadsheet?
Q. Why can't I use the hyperlinks that appear in the spreadsheet?
Q. What does Pipe Delimited mean?
Q. How are ChessWorld export files configured?
Q. How can I use ChessWorld export files?

Miscellaneous

Q. What is a tag?
Q. Why should I tag a game?
Q. Can you help me find suitable tag names?
Q. How can I tag a game?
Q. How can I get a Suggestions (Light bulb) Icon on my game page?

Newbies FAQ's

Your first Games

Q. I'm new here, so how can I start playing?
Q. How can I make my move?
Q. How can I move to the next game?
Q. I'm playing several games, but how can I move to the next board?
Q. How many games can I play at a time?
Q. Can I play in rated games?
Q. After I've started a game, how will I know when it is my turn to move?
Q. I'm playing a game, so why can't I see it when I log on?
Q. How can I choose an Opponent easily?
Q. I want to choose a particular kind of opponent. Is that possible?
Q. Can I send game invitations to other players?

Tournament Play

Q. What is a Welcoming Tournament?
Q. How can I play in a Welcoming Tournament?
Q. Will I be able to play in further Welcoming Tournaments?
Q. Why are there so many players in a Welcoming Tournament?
Q. There are too many games for me. Can I join a smaller Welcoming Tournament?

Miscellaneous

Q. Can I just browse around the site and see what's going on?
Q. Why do you need my Email address?
Q. Can I use any assistance in deciding my moves?
Q. Can I play any games in real time?
Q. Who is my Referrer?
Q. Can I change my Referrer?
Q. How can I remove the introductory YouTube video from the play page?
Q. I've tried ChessWorld but it is not for me - what do I do now?
Q. I've tried ChessWorld and I like it. How can I become a Full Member?
Q. Is it worth joining ChessWorld as a Full Member?

Welcomers FAQ's

New Members

Q. I've just joined ChessWorld. What is a Welcomer?

Existing Members

Q. How can I become a Site Welcomer?
Q. What should I do to become a better Welcomer?
Q. Are my Welcomer games rated?
Q. I thought that I had earned some free months, but they have not been added. Why is that?

Preferences FAQ's

My Stuff ... My Login

Q. What does the Auto-login feature do?
Q. What does the Keep feature do?
Q. Which Start page should I select?

My Stuff ... My Moves

Q. How can I configure My Moves?
Q. Why does the movelog display appear to show an error or is ambiguous?

My Stuff ... My Details

Q. How can I change my Country or Flag?
Q. Can I change my password?
Q. What will happen if I click on the Email My Password link on the login page?
Q. Can I change my nickname?
Q. Can I change my nickname after joining from Google+ or Facebook?
Q. How can I remove or replace entries in the Comments section of my homepage?
Q. How can I add images or links to my homepage Comments?

My Stuff ... My Email

Q. How can I configure My Email?

My Stuff ... My Interface

Q. Can I change the way the ChessWorld pages appear on my computer?
Q. Can I change the appearance or size of the board on the Play page?
Q. Can I change or remove the Pie Chart display?
Q. Can I remove the underline from the hyperlinks on ChessWorld?
Q. How can I change the default colors?

Play ... My Current Games

Q. How can I use the My Current Games page?
Q. Why is the Cache option provided?
Q. What does the Send Reminders message do?
Q. How can I change table highlight colors?

FP 16 . 0 May16