Only premium members can request inactive usernames. These requests are given on a first-come-first-served basis.
What is an inactive username?
Inactive usernames are those that belong to accounts that have not been used for three years or more.
If the username you want belongs to an account that has been inactive for three years or more, you can now contact support and request that username.
Eligibility criteria
Your account that receives the username must be a paid premium account - not on a free trial - and you must have had that premium membership for at least three months.
The account with the username you are interested in needs to have been inactive for 3 or more years. Check how long an account has been inactive by looking at their profile — There you will see the last sign-in date:
Submit your request
You may request ONE inactive username per account. Make sure it's the one you want! If your request is denied, you may request another name
Click the icon at the bottom left corner of any Chess.com page to bring out the messenger widget:
Alternatively, click here
Select 'Contact Support' and click on 'I have a question:'
Type 'Inactive username' in the chat box.
Click 'Request an inactive username' at the bottom to submit your request!