Appealing a closed account
If your Chess.com account has been closed and you believe the closure was made in error, you may be able to submit an appeal.
Before submitting an appeal, please review our Fair Play Policy, User Agreement, and Community Policy.
If you have access to the email address associated with the closed account
Please check the inbox (including your spam or junk folder) for the email address associated with your closed account. You should have received an email explaining why your account was closed, any steps you may need to take to regain access, whether your account is eligible for appeal, and how to submit an appeal, if applicable.
If your account is eligible for appeal, the email will include a button that takes you directly to the appeal process.
If you didn't receive the account closure email or can't access your email address
If you didn't receive the account closure email, or you no longer have access to the email address associated with your account, follow the steps below to submit your appeal.
Click the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen, then select 'Help & Support.'
This will open a conversation with Chessica, our support assistant. Click 'Start conversation.'
Select 'Get more help đ' to skip the Help Center article search.
When prompted, type 'I want to appeal my account closure' to start the appropriate appeal flow.
After entering your account information, you'll see why your account was closed and the recovery options available to you. Depending on your situation, these may include the option to submit an appeal or other steps to help you regain access.
What happens if my appeal is denied?
Every appeal is carefully reviewed before a final decision is made. If your appeal is denied, your original account will usually remain closed, and submitting another appeal with the same information is unlikely to change the outcome.
In some cases, we may offer you the opportunity to return with a Second Chance account. This is not the same as reopening or restoring your original account.
If you're eligible for a Second Chance account, follow the instructions provided in your account closure email or through the Help & Support flow. Please don't create additional accounts unless Chess.com has specifically instructed you to do so.
A Second Chance account is a new account, and some information from your original account may not transfer. If you have questions about your account data or membership, please contact our Support Team for assistance.
FAQs
Why was my account closed?
Why was my account closed?
Check the email address connected to your account, including spam or junk. Chess.com sends an email explaining why the account was closed, what steps may be available, and whether you can appeal. Common closure reasons include Fair Play violations, unauthorized additional accounts, and community policy violations.
I didnât receive my closure email. What should I do?
I didnât receive my closure email. What should I do?
First check your inbox, spam, and junk folders for the email address linked to the closed account. If you still canât find it, go to Help & Support, start a conversation with Chessica, select 'Get more help,' and type: 'I want to appeal my account closure.'
My account was closed for Fair Play but I never cheated, how do I appeal?
My account was closed for Fair Play but I never cheated, how do I appeal?
If your account is eligible, submit an appeal through the link in your closure email or through the Help & Support flow. The Fair Play team will review your case.
I canât access the email address on my closed account. How can I appeal?
I canât access the email address on my closed account. How can I appeal?
Use the Help & Support flow instead of the email link. Start a conversation with Chessica and type: 'I want to appeal my account closure.' After you enter your account information, youâll see why the account was closed and the recovery or appeal options available to you.
I log in with Apple, Google, or Facebook and didnât get the appeal email. What should I do?
I log in with Apple, Google, or Facebook and didnât get the appeal email. What should I do?
Use the Help & Support flow and type: 'I want to appeal my account closure.' Social-login accounts can make email access confusing, so the support flow is the best way to provide your account details and see your available options.
Someone else accessed my account or my account was hacked. What should I do?
Someone else accessed my account or my account was hacked. What should I do?
Include that information in your appeal. Provide clear details so the team can review your case with that context.
Can I get the exact games or evidence that caused my closure?
Can I get the exact games or evidence that caused my closure?
Chess.com does not share specific game data or details about detection methods because that information must remain confidential to keep Fair Play detection effective.
Can I create a new account after a Fair Play closure?
Can I create a new account after a Fair Play closure?
Sometimes Chess.com may allow a new account, but this depends on your specific closure and the options provided to you. Follow the instructions in your closure email or use the Help & Support flow to see what is available. Do not create extra accounts without approval.
My notice said I could request a new account after one year. What should I do when the year has passed?
My notice said I could request a new account after one year. What should I do when the year has passed?
Contact Support after the date listed in your notice and explain that the waiting period has passed. Include the closed account username and the email address connected to the account.
Can I reopen the same account after a Fair Play closure?
Can I reopen the same account after a Fair Play closure?
Usually no. The self-service 'Reopen Account' process only applies to accounts you personally closed. If Chess.com closed the account for Fair Play, abuse, or another policy violation, follow the closure email or appeal flow instead.
I closed my own account and now want it back. Is that the same as appealing a ban?
I closed my own account and now want it back. Is that the same as appealing a ban?
No. If you personally closed your account, log in with your username and password, click Reopen Account, and enter the six-digit code sent to your email. If the account was closed by Chess.com for a policy issue, use the closure email or appeal flow.
Check out this article for more information on self-closed accounts: How do I reopen my closed account?
Can my parent, friend, coach, or someone else appeal for me?
Can my parent, friend, coach, or someone else appeal for me?
Chess.com can only discuss an account closure with the account owner. The account owner should submit the appeal using the closure email or Help & Support flow.
What is a Second Chance account?
What is a Second Chance account?
A Second Chance account is a new Chess.com account that may be offered after certain account closures. It isn't a restoration of your original account and should only be created if Chess.com has invited you to do so.
Will my rating, games, achievements, or account history transfer to my Second Chance account?
Will my rating, games, achievements, or account history transfer to my Second Chance account?
A Second Chance account starts as a new account. Some account information may transfer in certain situations, but not all account data is eligible to be moved.