Tournament camera & fair-play rules

Last updated: September 22, 2026

Before you enter

Webcam supervision is required for new tournaments and events still in registration. The adult account holder must agree before a learner participates, including permission for a child’s camera use. Connect a working webcam, keep your face visible, and use a private space with no bystanders in view. If you cannot meet these requirements or need an accommodation, contact the organizer before entering or paying.

What is shared

After you select Connect camera and allow browser access, a still camera image is sent to the site owner approximately every eight seconds during check-in and play. Your preview shows what is being shared. We do not request microphone access, record audio, or create a continuous video recording. Opponents and other players cannot see your camera images.

Only the latest image is available to the organizer. Images are kept in temporary server storage outside account backups, expire after 60 seconds, and are removed by routine cleanup. Stopping the camera removes the available image. Closing a tab, disconnecting, or ending the event may require the expiration period or cleanup to finish. We do not perform facial recognition or use these images for marketing.

During a game

Keep your camera connected and remain on the tournament page. We record camera interruptions, missing camera updates, page visibility, window focus and fullscreen changes for fair-play review. We do not read your other tabs, browsing history, screen contents or installed applications. Fullscreen is optional, is unavailable in some browsers, and can always be exited.

Activity logs are retained for up to 90 days and are visible only to the site owner and, through account export, the account holder’s own records. Existing account backups follow the account privacy policy. Profile deletion removes personal activity logs. Game scores and move timings are covered by our account privacy policy.

Interruptions and review

All paired players need a recent camera check-in before the organizer can start a round. The clock starts after the opening countdown and continues during connection or camera interruptions. Reconnect promptly and contact the organizer if there is a problem. Camera and page activity can be incomplete or inaccurate; an interruption alone does not automatically cause a cheating penalty, account ban or forfeiture. Normal chess clock and game rules still apply.

Only the site owner manages platform tournaments and reviews cash-prize results. No engines or outside assistance are allowed. Supervision supplements game analysis and organizer review; a camera or fullscreen mode cannot guarantee fair play. Contact Support to report a problem or request review before prizes are released.