Community Policy

At a Glance

1. Purpose and Core Values

Chess is a timeless sport built on intellectual challenge and mutual respect. ChessOx provides community feeds, clan forums, direct messaging, and live game chat to bring chess lovers together.

This Community Policy sets clear standards of conduct to ensure that every player, regardless of age, skill level, nationality, or background, feels welcome, safe, and valued.

2. Where These Guidelines Apply

These standards apply to every interaction and text surface on ChessOx:

• In-game live chat and post-game chats.
• Community feed posts, article comments, and puzzle discussion boards.
• Clan names, descriptions, announcements, and clan chat rooms.
• Usernames, bios, display names, and profile avatars.
• Direct messages and friend interactions.

3. Community Standards (What We Encourage)

• Civil Discourse: Debate chess moves, strategies, and tournament results passionately, but never attack the individual.
• Good Sportsmanship: Offer polite greetings ("Good luck", "Good game") and avoid gloating or sore losing.
• Supporting Beginners: Encourage newcomers who are learning the game and share helpful tactical advice.
• Positive Collaboration: Build active, welcoming clubs and contribute constructively to chess discussions.

4. Strictly Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and will result in moderation action:

• Harassment & Bullying: Threatening, stalking, mocking, or repeatedly targeting another player with abusive language.
• Hate Speech & Discrimination: Slurs or disparaging remarks based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
• Sexually Explicit Content: Graphic imagery, sexual solicitation, or inappropriate discussions. Any sexual material involving minors is immediately reported to law enforcement.
• Spam, Phishing & Scams: Repetitive promotional messages, advertising commercial services, sharing malicious links, or attempting to steal account credentials.
• Impersonation: Pretending to be another player, Grandmaster, arbiter, staff member, or celebrity.
• Doxxing & Privacy Invasions: Publishing or threatening to publish another user's personal private information (real name, phone number, address, financial details).
• Public Cheating Accusations: Accusing an opponent of engine cheating in public chat or forums. All fair play concerns must be reported confidentially through the in-game Report system.

5. In-Game Chat & Etiquette

• Live chat is provided for friendly, respectful communication between opponents.
• Do not distract opponents during their move time or spam chat emojis to cause visual disturbance.
• If you prefer not to chat, you may disable in-game chat in Settings. Muted opponents cannot message you.

6. Clans and Club Management

• Clan leaders and admins are responsible for maintaining civilized conduct within their club rooms.
• Clan names, slogans, and banners must adhere to these community guidelines.
• Clans established to promote cheating, toxicity, or hate groups will be disbanded permanently.

7. Content Moderation & Penalties

We use automated keyword filters combined with human review to moderate content. Depending on the severity and frequency of the violation, we apply:

Threats of physical violence, severe hate speech, or child endangerment result in immediate permanent termination and referral to law enforcement authorities.

8. Reporting Violations & Appeals

• How to Report: Click the flag / report icon on any message or user profile, or email contact@chessox.com with details and screenshots. Reports are kept completely confidential.
• Appeals: If you believe a moderation action was applied in error, you may file an appeal by emailing help@chessox.com within 14 days with your username and reference number.
• Grievance Escalation: Unresolved community grievances may be escalated under our Contact & Grievance Policy.

9. Contact Information