Terms of Service

Please read these terms carefully before using our services

Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Welcome to The Q Chess Club ("we," "us," "our," or "the Club"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website at theqchessclub.com and all related services, features, content, and applications (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Services. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and The Q Chess Club.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, joining our Discord community, participating in events, or using any of our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy.

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Services. If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you represent that you have obtained parental or guardian consent to use our Services. By using our Services, you represent and warrant that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

2. Description of Services

The Q Chess Club provides:

  • Community Access: Free and paid membership tiers with access to our Discord community
  • Tournament Participation: Invitation-only competitive events for sponsor members
  • Training & Education: Chess lessons, coaching, and skill development resources
  • Networking: Opportunities to connect with chess enthusiasts globally
  • Sponsorship Programs: Multiple investment packages supporting community growth
  • Community Initiatives: Volunteer events like The Coastline Collective that bring families, youth, and changemakers together for environmental restoration and community impact

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our Services at any time without prior notice.

3. Account Registration and Security

To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Keep your password secure and confidential
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
  • Be responsible for all activities that occur under your account

Important: You may not create multiple accounts or share your account with others. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate this policy.

4. Membership and Payments

Sponsorship Packages

We offer multiple sponsorship investment packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, and Premium Sponsor). By purchasing a sponsorship:

  • You agree to pay all applicable fees as described at the time of purchase
  • All payments are processed securely through third-party payment processors
  • Sponsorship applications are subject to review and approval by our team
  • We reserve the right to accept or decline any sponsorship application

Refund Policy

Sponsorship investments are generally non-refundable. However, refund requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis within 14 days of purchase if no services have been rendered. To request a refund, contact us at [email protected].

Donations

Donations made to The Q Chess Club through our website are processed securely by Stripe, our third-party payment processor. By making a donation:

  • You acknowledge that donations are voluntary contributions to support our programs and community initiatives
  • All donations are final and non-refundable unless required by law
  • Your payment information (name, email, billing address, phone number) will be collected by Stripe to process your donation and send you a receipt
  • Donations may be tax-deductible - consult your tax advisor for specific guidance
  • We use donated funds to support chess education, tournaments, equipment, scholarships, and community programs

5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

You agree to use our Services responsibly and in compliance with all applicable laws. You agree NOT to:

Harassment

Harass, bully, threaten, or intimidate other members

Cheating

Use chess engines, bots, or unfair assistance in tournaments

Hate Speech

Post discriminatory, offensive, or hateful content

Spam

Send unsolicited messages or promotional content

Fraud

Engage in fraudulent activities or impersonate others

Hacking

Attempt to hack, disrupt, or exploit our systems

Consequences: Violation of these rules may result in warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent termination of your account and membership without refund.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on our website and Services, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, videos, software, and design, is the property of The Q Chess Club or our licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You May:

  • View and use our Services for personal, non-commercial purposes
  • Share links to our website on social media

You May NOT:

  • Copy, reproduce, or distribute our content without permission
  • Use our trademarks, logos, or branding without authorization
  • Modify, reverse engineer, or create derivative works

7. Discord Community Guidelines

Our Discord server is an integral part of The Q Chess Club community. When using Discord, you must also comply with:

  • Discord's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines
  • The Q Chess Club's code of conduct: Be respectful, supportive, and sportsmanlike
  • Channel-specific rules: Use channels for their intended purpose

Moderators have the authority to enforce rules, issue warnings, mute, kick, or ban members who violate guidelines. Decisions made by moderators are final.

8. Tournament Participation

Tournament participation is invitation-only for approved sponsor members. By participating in tournaments:

  • You agree to play fairly without external assistance or chess engines
  • You agree to abide by all tournament rules and time controls
  • You accept that tournament organizers' decisions are final
  • Cheating will result in immediate disqualification and account termination
  • We reserve the right to investigate suspicious play patterns

9. Volunteer Events & The Coastline Collective

The Q Chess Club organizes community volunteer initiatives, including The Coastline Collective — a community-powered environmental restoration program co-hosted with Family Above Money. By participating in these events:

Event Participation Terms

  • You agree to follow all event guidelines, safety instructions, and directions from event organizers
  • You participate voluntarily and assume responsibility for your own safety and well-being
  • Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts these terms on their behalf
  • You consent to being photographed or recorded for promotional and documentation purposes
  • You agree to treat fellow volunteers, organizers, and the environment with respect

Liability Waiver

By RSVPing and attending volunteer events, you acknowledge that outdoor activities carry inherent risks. You release The Q Chess Club, Family Above Money, and their respective officers, employees, and volunteers from any liability for injuries, damages, or losses that may occur during participation, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Event Cancellation: We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or modify events due to weather, safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances. Registered participants will be notified via the contact information provided during RSVP.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

Service "AS IS"

Our Services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that our Services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Q Chess Club, its officers, directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from:

  • Your use or inability to use our Services
  • Any errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content
  • Unauthorized access to your account or data
  • Conduct or content of third-party members
  • Any interruption or cessation of Services

Maximum Liability

In no event shall our total liability to you for all damages exceed the amount you paid to us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or $100 USD, whichever is greater.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Q Chess Club and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

  • Your use or misuse of our Services
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
  • Any content you submit, post, or transmit through our Services

12. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to our Services at any time, without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to:

  • Violation of these Terms or our policies
  • Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
  • Extended periods of inactivity
  • At our sole discretion for any other reason

You may also terminate your account at any time by contacting us at [email protected]. Upon termination, your right to use our Services will immediately cease, and we may delete your account and data.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by:

  • Posting the updated Terms on this page with a new "Last Updated" date
  • Sending an email notification to registered members
  • Displaying a prominent notice on our website or Discord

Your continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you must stop using our Services and may terminate your account.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our Services shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes may be resolved through binding arbitration or in the courts of competent jurisdiction.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Thank You for Being Part of Our Community

By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. We're excited to have you as part of The Q Chess Club!

Join The Q Chess Club