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What kind of username can I choose?

Learn which usernames are not allowed on Chess.com and how to choose one that meets our community guidelines.

Updated yesterday

At Chess.com, we strive to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all players. To maintain this atmosphere, usernames must adhere to our community policies.

Types of usernames not allowed

Username content

Description

Foul language

Any form of offensive language is not allowed in usernames.

Sexual content

Usernames must not contain sexual terms or innuendos.

Racist or offensive language

Names containing slurs, racism, or bigotry are strictly prohibited.

Threatening or violent language

Usernames that imply violence or threats are not allowed.

Sexist or bigoted language

Any form of discrimination in usernames is against our guidelines.

Political and religious content

Usernames should not reference political parties, leaders, or anything that could cause religious offense.

Impersonation

Usernames cannot impersonate famous chess players, Chess.com staff, moderators, or bots (e.g., OfficialMagnusCarlsen, Juan-Bot).

  • Claiming or pretending that an account is authorized for speedrunning is prohibited and will be treated as impersonation.

We reserve the right to change any username that appears to be chosen specifically to cause discomfort or to troll other members.

While using your real name as a username is allowed, we advise against it for privacy reasons.

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