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Review summary

Based on reviews, created with AI

Most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many people were dissatisfied with the website and user experience, citing issues with navigation, glitches, and unexpected pop-ups. Customers frequently report problems with their subscriptions, including billing discrepancies after cancellation attempts and automatic yearly payments instead of monthly. The customer service is often described as non-existent, with users receiving automated responses or no help at all, especially regarding account bans and cheating reports. Some people also felt that the product itself had issues, such as hints not working and the "brilliant move" system feeling random. However, a few other people also felt that the platform is an excellent resource for improving chess skills, offering various game types, puzzles, and forums, and that it generally works well for their needs.

What people talk about most

Website

Consumers find the website experience to be largely negative. Many reviewers express dissatisfaction with... See more

User experience

Users describe negative interactions with the user experience. Many reviewers report issues such as the... See more

Subscription

Reviewers express strong dissatisfaction with the subscription model, citing incredibly annoying site design... See more

Customer service

Customers consistently express strong dissatisfaction with customer service, often describing it as... See more

Product

Clients share ambiguous opinions on the product. While some reviewers find the games fun and report becoming... See more

Based on these reviews

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A platform that can't handle cheaters and make you feel bad about playing chess. If there is unfair play detected the message from the platform is one or more players have played unfair so we will c... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

After a long time, I wanted to give another try. The most cheater friendly platform along with lichess. Both allows abuse, cheating and their old-fashion systems will find you. I really hope Ru... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They charged me a year for a trial i cancelled, which is fraudulent in my opinion, their cancellation system is rigged to go back ON even if u cancel a subscription, they will still charge you. I got... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Chess.com was OK while it lasted. But at the end of a game (a few minutes ago as I write this) the site showed a popup with a list of new terms and conditions, privacy statement, etc. Just the... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Gaming service Provider
  2. Hobby Store

Information provided by various external sources

Chess.com is a website dedicated to chess and the millions of chess players around the globe who love the game. It is a place to show who you are, share what you think, improve your chess game, and enjoy every aspect of chess!


Contact info

1.5

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

2K reviews

5-star
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1-star

Replied to 78% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Disgrace / Cheater friendly

After a long time, I wanted to give another try. The most cheater friendly platform along with lichess. Both allows abuse, cheating and their old-fashion systems will find you.

I really hope Russians or some other country can develop a good chess platform (even a paid version) to detect cheaters with AI.

You can't detect everything, but on chess.com, one can play with %99 accuracy in a 48 moves game.. Absolute discgrace.. 1 in every 2/3 matches are either fully or partially cheated..

2 stars for the sake of before 2020s

April 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Cheating and abusive messaging are not permitted in any capacity on Chess.com. Here below you can find our relevant policies.

Fair Play Policy:
www.chess.com/legal/fair-play

Community Policy:
www.chess.com/legal/community

Breaching these policies will result in immediate account closure. Using both advanced automated detection methods as well as the intervention of dedicated moderators, analysts and researchers, we act to disable any account in violation as soon as possible. To report a problematic account, tap on the avatar on the app or click on the username on Web.

We want you to know that we're always expanding our detection systems and doing everything possible to keep the game fair and respectful. This is extremely important to us!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolute garbage

Absolute garbage, full of glitches.

Logged off and auto resign at random

Membership is frankly a con

April 2, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the difficulties! Please report any glitches by submitting a quick bug report at:
www.chess.com/support

Our dedicated team will review your report and work to resolve any error as soon as possible.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The app absolutely sucks!!

The app absolutely sucks!!! It constantly freezes in the middle of a game and then resets. It worked fine for about two months and now it is totally screwed up. I’m so frustrated with it I have given up playing on line chess. There’s no excuse for it, and using their portal to get help is just a total waste of time.

April 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the trouble! We're working on major server optimizations and expansions to ensure stable connectivity for our players around the world. For more information, as well as tips to optimize device and network connectivity, please visit:
www.chess.com/support

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I am a paying member and want a refund…

I am a paying member and want a refund because your AI support has become a joke. I have real questions and issues that I need support from real Chess.com people. That seems to no longer exist. Their AI is a complete and useless piece of junk.

April 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the difficulties! Our AI assistant can answer a lot of questions instantly, but if you need to contact our Support Team, you can make the request in the Support chat:
www.chess.com/support
After an initial search, choose the option "I still need help", so that your request may be sent to our Support Team.

To submit a refund request in the Support Chat, click on:
Start Conversation > Get More Help

Then search "Refund" and provide the requested account information to submit your request to our Billing service. We'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

encourage cheating

They actually encourage using stockfish, I have detected several vulnerabilities in their “detection” system. It does a terrible job and they do nothing about those who cheat, they simply remove a couple points for every 1/1000 that they find. Just a bad app

March 30, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

As new methods to cheat are developed, so too do we expand our detection methods! We're able to very quickly detect cheating in the vast majority of cases, regardless of the method to cheat that has been used. For a glimpse into our efforts, visit:
www.chess.com/article/view/chesscom-update-march-2026#FairPlay

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Full of cheats and glitches

Full of cheats and glitches, reported so many times and nothing. They don’t care , just want your money.

March 29, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Please report any glitches by submitting a quick bug report at:
www.chess.com/support

Our dedicated team will review your report and work to resolve any error as soon as possible.

We care deeply about stopping cheating in games, and we've dedicated more resources and personnel to detecting it than any other organization in the world! We're also never complacent about cheating, constantly expanding our detection methods. You can find out more at:
www.chess.com/cheating

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Can't change to challenge mode against bots, crown selector disappeared.

its ok, the games are fun, but for some reason the selection for bots between friendly matches and challenge matches disappeared, and there's no way to manually change it from settings, so I'm stuck in friendly with every bot now.

March 28, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Thank you for this feedback. With this update we aimed to simplify the Play Bots interface, so that it's easier for players to start games, but we also understand how important these training tools are to players. You can still enable assistance options when playing vs. the Engine, the classic chess computer Bot.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

waste of time!

hysterical that 1 in every 5-10 opponents utilizes a chess engine to beat me. this platform says it fights cheating but has never detected any less I have to manually report it. might as well be playing AI b/c that's what this sorry site is, a bunch of AI players

March 26, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Stopping cheating is one of our absolute highest priorities on Chess.com! While the vast majority of cheating is detected without even a single player report, your reports still help us to pinpoint certain cases. At the same time, out of fairness for all players we would only close an account if we're certain cheating has occurred. For more information, visit:
www.chess.com/cheating

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Zero support — even for Diamond members

The product itself is okay — even though poor functionality repeatedly pointed out by the community of users over years seems to never get addressed.

A bigger problem is the lack of support. I have been a "Diamond" member for a few years (the most expensive tier), yet support will just ignore messages.

I wrote them about a recent change to their iOS app — the first time I have "bothered" them with a question. But nobody responded for several days. Then someone wrote to ask if I "still needed assistance". I replied that, yes, I'd still like an answer to my question.

I never got that, so I have now cancelled my "Diamond" membership. When cancelling, you need to go through 6 or 7 hoops where Chess.com tries to persuade you to stay. What they should do instead is simply listen to the community and improve functionality, and offer actual support to the people paying for their services.

I've switched to Lichess. Their new app (for iPad etc.) is a real step up in quality, and I am a happier camper.

March 20, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the difficulties! Our AI assistant can answer a lot of questions instantly, but if you need to contact our Support Team, you can make the request in the Support chat:
www.chess.com/support

After an initial search, choose the option "I still need help", so that your request may be sent to our Support Team.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

No option.

Chess.com was OK while it lasted.

But at the end of a game (a few minutes ago as I write this) the site showed a popup with a list of new terms and conditions, privacy statement, etc. Just the number of documents was already substantial, let alone the documents/changes themselves...

I had to either accept all changes right away, or cancel my account. No grace period, no "remind me tomorrow", nothing. I couldn't even navigate to the forums to ask questions about it.

I'm not going to let myself be extorted by these practices, so I canceled my subscription. I think this is what Americans call "voting with your wallet." I prefer stricter, consumer-oriented EU regulations.

March 25, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Thank you for this feedback. If you have concerns about updates to our policies, please contact us at:
www.chess.com/support

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Full of fake bot accounts

If I could give less than 1 star i would. The platform is full of fake bot accounts so you think you play against real players but you are actually playing against bots. Also there are not anti cheat mechanisms , i replicated a game recently against a 900 elo player and all moves where the same as the engine with a chess rating of 99% which is unrealistic for a 900 elo player ! I reported it and nothing happened. Just stay away. They also request money for normal chess Review of your own moves!!! This is free everywhere else....management just pathetic no wonder they have 1.5 here
Tired of Templates replies from chess.com on my review. Of course I know how to report it. If you had actually read the review you would see that I made reports but you do nothing about it. I also know you have million players that does not mean you have no fake bots. Actually you are full of them... just don't reply more you are humiliating your support

March 21, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

We have tens of millions of active players, so you're playing chess with real people around the world! That said, if you suspect an opponent of cheating, you can tap their avatar to report it. We use advanced algorithms to quickly detect and ban cheaters!

In shorter games, it's possible for players to achieve a high accuracy score. Such a score is cause for suspicion but should not be considered definitive proof of cheating. Rest assured, if our data proves that a violation has occurred, the account will be immediately banned and rating points returned to you.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

They charged for one year membership

They charged for one year membership. It was stated kr, but without telling that it was DKR not NOK, a big difference. A small note up in a corner indicated that it was a payment for a year. It does not inform about this at all. I'll go trough my bank to get the money refunded. Customer service is non existing. I thought that a chess page is not the same scam as everything else. I was wrong.

Chess returned the money, and no problem at all.

March 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the misunderstanding! Please submit a refund request in the Support chat by visiting:
www.chess.com/support

In the chat, click on "Get Started", then click on "Get more help". Next search: "Refund". After the AI's response, click the button to confirm submission of your request. We'll respond soon as possible!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Chess.com steal money from vulnerable…

Chess.com steal money from vulnerable diabled who take free 7 day trial, and never signed up for a yearly memebrship. When you try to contact them, all you get is AI. I do not want a membership I am unemployed, disabled and did not agree to a year membership. I require a refund.

Edit: I did as you stated and got this "Great, Our team of billing specialists will review your request within 1-4 days. Response time may be longer during weekends due to limited agent availability."

March 16, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the difficulties! The paid membership begins automatically after the free trial, but we'll absolutely help you obtain a full refund.

Please submit a refund request in the Support chat by visiting:
www.chess.com/support

In the chat, click on "Get Started", then click on "Get more help". Next search: "Refund". After the AI's response, click the button to confirm submission of your request to our Billing team. We'll respond soon as possible!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Subscriber vacation warning!

I've loved playing on chess.com for a few years hence 4 stars.
But new subscribers be warned...I was very disappointed to discover that all my games have ended today because I have used up all my vacation time. I had no idea this was limited and the app only gave me 29 minutes notice before ending all my games, loosing me almost 100 points.
I'm furious given that I am a paid member. Surely more notice would have been more appropriate?

March 15, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the misunderstanding! When your Daily Chess games are paused, your remaining vacation time is displayed on the game timer when clicking on individual games.
https://support.chess.com/en/articles/8583943-how-does-vacation-work-how-much-time-do-i-get

This setting could not be unlimited, since that would permit players to prolong games indefinitely, even refusing to continue games in lost positions. Vacation Time is meant to let players pause their correspondence games when needed, whether due to taking vacation or other life circumstances.

When Daily Chess games are paused, your remaining Vacation Time should display on the game timer when viewing any individual game.

For more help with our Support Team, including a potential rating adjustment if you feel the rating decrease misrepresents your playing level, please contact us at:
www.chess.com/support

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Support doesn't exist

Banned on my account for " multiple accounts"
I made a ticket to discuss, 4+days later, still no response.
Not a very professional site, Rather than banning someone ASAP, a warning should be made?
My other accounts, I haven't used them for a long time, nor have I exploited any premium free trials for my gain. Yet still I am banned for stupid reasons, as well as ignored by support team in tickets.

The reviews below me, also speak for themselves.
How can a chess site have <2 stars? HAHAHA

I guess someone was right about you guys, chess.com

March 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Sorry for the difficulties! Please check your email inbox for a closure notice with an explanation about your Chess.com account status and how to proceed. If you haven't received a notice, please visit this link for help:
www.chess.com/support

If you haven't heard back within 48 hours, please double check in the Support chat or in your email inbox to confirm that your request was submitted. In rare cases, we may take longer to respond as our relevant teams review your case. We'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Full of cheaters that the site does…

Full of cheaters that the site does little about. Unless it's an obvious cheater they can detect automatically, they get to play nearly forever.

update after chess.com comment.
Obvious cheaters go months without being banned, playing hundreds of games in the meantime. I've seen it happen in real time. You are owned by a hedge fund, any money spent on fair play comes out of profits. Do you really expect people to believe you spend what is needed?

March 12, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Stopping cheating is one of our absolute highest priorities at Chess.com. We analyze hundreds of millions of games each month using state-of-the-art detection methods, and any account found to be cheating is immediately closed: www.chess.com/article/view/chesscom-update-february-2026#FairPlay

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Too many cheaters on here

Too many cheaters on here and nothing gets done. Try to speak to customer services and it’s non existent. I pay for the subscription but unfortunately due to mass cheaters which has taken the joy out of the game I’ve cancelled and removed the app.

March 10, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

We care deeply about stopping cheating in games, which is why we've dedicated more resources and personnel to detecting it than any other organization in the world! We're also never complacent about cheating, constantly expanding our detection methods. You can find out more at:
www.chess.com/cheating

Our AI assistant can answer a lot of questions instantly, but if you need to contact our Support Team, you can make the request in the Support chat: www.chess.com/support. After an initial search, choose the option "I still need help", so that your request may be sent to our Support Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Overall a very good app for strong anti…

Overall a very good app for strong anti cheating measures. I appreciate getting my rating point refunded when they catch cheaters. Thank you Chess.com

March 6, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Fairness in the game is very important to us. Thanks for choosing Chess.com!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give them a negative number, I would!

If I could give them a negative number, I would. I have been keeping track and 98.8% of the matches I play, the opponent ABANDONS the match. People act overly aggressive and are just plain jerks on this site. I report every one of them and NOTHING is ever done by the admins or moderators. This site has become a JOKE, and no one should ever consider paying them a cent for anything!! In fact, I think it should be criminal for them to be allowed to charge money for such a crap platform. People need to boycott Chess.com starting now! And "Date of Experience" LOL!! EVERY DAY ALL DAY!

March 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

We're very sorry to hear this. Abusive messaging and stalling in lost positions are not tolerated on Chess.com, and we ask that you report such players by tapping on their avatar. In addition to automated measures, our moderators will take action to promptly restrict or remove any accounts that are breaching our community policies:
www.chess.com/legal/community

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quit your belly aching!

I have been a paying member for about a month now and am enjoying the experience. I see many complaints about cheaters but I think that problem is overblown. While I'm sure cheaters exist you can find them on any site, there is nothing about chess dot com that makes it easier for someone to cheat than on any other site.

March 4, 2026
Unprompted review
Chess.com logo

Reply from Chess.com

Thanks for sharing your perspective. We appreciate your support for Chess.com!

Cheating is a major concern, and it's one players are understandably very vocal about. However, the good news is that cheating actually occurs in less than 1% of all games, and at Chess.com we're constantly expanding our detection methods through cutting edge research. For more information about our Fair Play Team, visit:
www.chess.com/cheating

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