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Why is my Chess.com account disabled?

Learn why your account may have been disabled and the steps you can take next.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

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.

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