Why was my Chess.com account closed?
If your account has been closed, you should have received an email explaining the reason behind the closure and how to proceed. Please make sure to check your inbox if your account has been disabled.
Common reasons for account closures
Accounts can be closed for several reasons, usually to protect the fairness and integrity of the platform. There are several reasons why an account may be disabled. Here are the most common ones:
Fair Play policy violations
Chess.com enforces a strict Fair Play Policy to ensure a fair experience for everyone. Accounts can be closed for:
Using outside assistance, engines, or software to find moves
Sharing accounts with others
Using prohibited chess extensions
Specific game data is not shared to protect our detection methods.
You can learn more here: What do I need to know about Fair Play on Chess.com? or review our full Fair Play policy.
Unauthorized accounts
Chess.com allows up to two accounts per member, but you must first get approval from our Support Team. Creating an additional account(s) without approval violates the Fair Play policy and is considered a form of cheating. Learn more here: Can I have multiple accounts?
Breaking community policies
Behavior that violates our Community Guidelines may result in account closure. This includes:
Inappropriate usernames or avatars
Harassment or inappropriate behavior
Failing to follow our Sportsmanship Policy, which means:
Do not frequently abort games
Do not make opponents wait unnecessarily
Do not disconnect or quit without resigning when lost
Always follow the Fair Play Policy
How to restore your account
If your account has been disabled and you’d like to explore your options, contact our Support Team with your account details. We’ll be happy to help you resolve the issue if possible.
We can only discuss the reasons behind an account's closure with the account owner.