Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Chess Coach Network ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website and platform at chesscoachnetwork.com. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and your rights with respect to it. By using our platform you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information We Collect

a. Account Registration

When you create an account, as a coach or student, we collect:

  • Name — your display name as it appears on your profile or account.
  • Email address — used for login, notifications, and communications.
  • Location — city, state or region, and country. Postal code may also be collected for coaches offering in-person lessons.
  • Role — whether you register as a coach or a student.

b. Coach Profile Information

Coaches who apply to join the platform may additionally provide:

  • ELO rating and chess credential IDs (FIDE ID, USCF ID, Chess.com username)
  • A biography and coaching philosophy
  • Lesson format preferences, rates, and availability
  • A profile photo and introductory video URL

Coach profiles including name, location, bio, rating, and rates, are publicly visible to anyone visiting the site.

c. Booking and Lesson Data

When a student books a lesson, we collect information necessary to schedule and confirm that lesson, including availability, session duration, and format (online or in-person).

d. Messaging and Chat

Our platform includes a messaging feature that allows coaches and students to communicate directly. Messages are stored on our servers. Users sometimes share personal information, such as a meeting address for in-person lessons, through chat. We do not formally require mailing or physical addresses, but we cannot prevent users from sharing them voluntarily.

e. Analytics and Tracking

We use third-party analytics tools including Google Analytics and Meta Pixel to understand how visitors use our platform. These tools may collect:

  • Pages visited and actions taken on the site
  • Browser type, device type, and operating system
  • Approximate geographic location (derived from IP address)
  • Referral source and session duration

These tools operate under their own privacy policies. Google's privacy policy and Meta's privacy policy are available on their respective websites.

f. Automatically Collected Information

When you use our platform, we automatically collect certain technical information including IP address, browser and device identifiers, and activity logs. This information is used for security, debugging, and service improvement.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Create and manage your account
  • Facilitate bookings and lesson scheduling between coaches and students
  • Display coach profiles to prospective students
  • Send transactional emails such as booking confirmations, reminders, and receipts
  • Send platform updates and relevant communications (you may opt out of non-transactional emails)
  • Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access
  • Improve our platform, features, and user experience
  • Comply with legal obligations

3. Payments

Payment processing on Chess Coach Network is handled by a third-party payment processor (currently Stripe). When you make or receive payments through the platform, your financial information is collected and processed directly by Stripe. We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers.

By transacting on our platform, you also agree to Stripe's privacy policy. Coaches connecting a payout account will complete a separate onboarding process with Stripe directly.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following circumstances:

  • With service providers and partners — We work with third-party vendors and partners to operate and improve our platform, including hosting providers, analytics services, payment processors, and email delivery services. These parties access your data only as necessary and are bound by appropriate confidentiality obligations.
  • With other users — Coach profile information is publicly visible. When a student books a lesson, relevant details are shared with the coach to facilitate that lesson.
  • For legal reasons — We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users or the public.
  • Business transfers — If Chess Coach Network is acquired or merged, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain your session, remember your preferences, and support analytics and advertising tools. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling certain cookies may affect platform functionality.

Our use of Google Analytics and Meta Pixel involves cookies and pixel tags that may track your behavior across sessions. You may opt out of Google Analytics tracking via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your information within a reasonable period, except where we are required to retain it for legal, financial, or dispute resolution purposes.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable privacy law including the right to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you. To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@chesscoachnetwork.com.

8. Children's Privacy

Chess Coach Network is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we will notify you by email or by a prominent notice on the platform.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please reach out:

Chess Coach Network
privacy@chesscoachnetwork.com