Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect account data (email, username, hashed password), optional profile information, and any public profile content or custom puzzle sets you publish.

We also collect training and usage data such as puzzle attempts, session progress, time spent, and performance statistics.

Device and technical data (IP, user agent, approximate location, logs) and cookies/local storage are used to secure your session and maintain preferences. We only set analytics and advertising cookies when you consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and improve the Service (accounts, training sessions, statistics, and public profiles).
• Secure the Service and prevent fraud or abuse.
• Send service communications related to your account and the Service.
• Deliver and measure advertising (for example via Google AdSense) where you consent.
• Understand usage with analytics (for example Google Analytics) where required by law.

3. Legal Bases

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following legal bases:

• Contract: to provide accounts, training sessions, and related features.
• Legitimate interests: for security, service reliability, and fraud prevention.
• Consent: for non-essential cookies, analytics, and personalised advertising when required.
• Legal obligation: where we must comply with the law.

4. Sharing

We share information with:

• Google and its partners for Analytics and AdSense (with your consent where required).
• Hosting, database, and email providers who process data on our behalf.
• Authorities when required by law or to protect rights and safety.

Stockfish analysis loads engine code via a third-party CDN, which may involve your browser connecting directly to that provider.

5. Cookie Notice & Choices

Necessary cookies keep you signed in, protect against CSRF attacks, and preserve guest tracking. We only set analytics and advertising cookies (non-essential) after you give consent. Visit the Cookie Notice page to manage your preferences.

6. International Transfers

Personal data may be processed outside the UK by us or our providers. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

7. Retention

We keep personal data only as long as needed for the purposes above, including security, legal, and dispute needs.

Public profiles and user content remain until you delete them or we remove them for policy violations.

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may:

• Access, correct, restrict, or delete your data.
• Object to processing or request portability.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

Exercise rights via the Contact page.

9. Children (Under 13)

IgniteChess is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Use the Contact page if you believe a child under 13 has provided data so we can delete it.

10. Changes

We may update this policy and will post the new version on this page with a new effective date.

11. Contact

Privacy questions or requests? Use the Contact page.