Terms of Service

2. Definitions

• Platform: the website and online services operated under the Elite64 brand.
• User / Player: any natural person holding an account on the Platform.
• Account: the personal space associated with a User, allowing access to the services.
• Competition / Tournament: a structured chess event whose result is determined primarily by participant skill, with limited operational randomisation possible for administration and fairness (for example colour assignment or bye allocation).
• Entry fee: a fixed, clearly displayed amount required to participate in a Tournament.
• Reward pool: the pool of rewards made up of participants' entry fees and distributed according to the final ranking.
• Transaction history: payment and refund records for competitions, processed via Stripe.
• Operator: the company operating the Platform (see section 15).

3. Description of the Service

Elite64 organises online skill-based competitions. Outcomes are determined primarily by player skill. Limited operational randomisation (such as colour assignment or bye allocation) may occur for tournament administration and fairness, but it does not determine competitive results. Reward pools are fixed and determined in advance for each tournament.

The service operates as a skill-based competition platform. It is a chess competition arena where outcomes are determined primarily by participant skill.

4. Access and Registration Conditions

Access to the Platform is reserved for individuals who are at least 18 years old. You must confirm your age when registering. The Operator reserves the right to verify users' eligibility.

The service is offered in territories where paid skill competitions are authorised. It may be unavailable or restricted in certain jurisdictions. Use from a territory where the service is prohibited is itself prohibited.

To register, the user must provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information and unreservedly accept these Terms.

5. User Account and Responsibilities

The User is responsible for keeping their login credentials confidential and for all activities carried out from their Account. They undertake not to disclose their credentials to third parties and to inform the Operator without delay in the event of unauthorised use.

The information provided when registering and when using the service must remain accurate and up to date. Any false statement may result in the suspension or closure of the Account.

6. Operation of Competitions

Access to games is only possible by registering for an identified tournament. The rules for each tournament (format, structure, prize distribution) are predefined and accessible before any registration. The player undertakes to comply with these rules and with the official rules of chess.

Game endings determined by the applicable rules (checkmate, stalemate, fifty-move rule, repetitions, etc.) cannot be challenged. Any disputes are handled in accordance with the procedures and rules announced by the Operator, with human intervention where provided.

7. Payments and Competition Transactions (General Framework)

Access to paid tournaments requires payment of the entry fee at registration. Entry fees are processed via Stripe. Payments are used solely in connection with competitions offered by Elite64.

The entry fee is clearly displayed before any registration in a tournament. Reward pools are fixed and announced in advance. No additional hidden fee is charged to the player beyond the displayed entry fee.

If a tournament is cancelled before it starts, the amount committed is refunded via Stripe to your original payment method. Once the tournament has been confirmed and started, no refund is due, except in exceptional cases decided by the Operator. For more details, please consult the Refund Policy.

Refunds are processed via Stripe to the original payment method. Processing times may vary; no guarantee is given as to any specific time frame.

Payments are processed exclusively via Stripe using PaymentIntents with manual capture. Funds are handled within Stripe's infrastructure. Elite64 does not provide payment services, does not operate an internal wallet or stored-value account, and does not offer top-ups or stored balances. Buy-ins are paid per tournament via Stripe, and prize payouts are executed via Stripe Connect Express transfers to recipients who have completed the required onboarding via Stripe Connect.

8. No Guarantee of Returns

No guarantee of returns is provided. Results and any rewards depend primarily on the player's performance and final ranking in each competition. The Operator does not commit to any particular level of rewards, nor to any distribution of reward pools beyond what is displayed for each tournament.

Participation in a competition implies acceptance of the risk of not obtaining any rewards. The amounts of the reward pools are indicative for each tournament and may be adjusted in accordance with the tournament rules (number of confirmed participants, etc.) without the Operator being subject to any obligation of result.

9. Fair Play, Anti-Cheat and Sanctions

The Operator applies integrity and fair-play rules to ensure fairness in competitions. Any behaviour contrary to these rules may result in sanctions.

Prohibited behaviours

• Cheating
• Collusion between players
• Use of multiple accounts by the same player
• External assistance during games
• Use of software or tools providing decision-making assistance

Possible sanctions

• Warning
• Temporary suspension of the Account
• Permanent ban
• Confiscation of rewards
• Cancellation of games or results

Sanctions are decided on a case-by-case basis, on the basis of the announced rules and objective data, with human review. Game endings determined by the official rules of chess cannot be challenged.

10. Suspension, Termination and Account Closure

The Operator reserves the right to suspend or terminate an Account in the event of a breach of these Terms, fraudulent or abusive behaviour, or any legitimate reason related to the security or proper functioning of the service. A suspension may be temporary or permanent, depending on the circumstances.

The User may request the closure of their Account at any time, subject to the rules applicable to refunds (processed via Stripe in accordance with the applicable conditions).

The closure or termination of the Account does not release the User from obligations arising prior to that date. The provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive (in particular liability and applicable law) shall remain in force.

11. Liability and Limitations

The service is provided "as is" in the context of a Phase 1 launch. The Operator strives to ensure the availability and security of the service but does not guarantee uninterrupted availability or the absence of errors.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Operator cannot be held liable for indirect, consequential, special or punitive damages (including, without limitation, loss of profits, data, opportunity or use), nor for direct damages exceeding a reasonable amount capped at the total sums actually paid by the User to the Operator for the service during the twelve months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

The User uses the Platform under their sole responsibility. The Operator is not responsible for the acts or omissions of other users, nor for malfunctions attributable to third parties (including, without limitation, payment providers and hosting providers) or to circumstances of force majeure.

12. Personal Data

The processing of personal data collected in connection with the use of the service is governed by the Privacy Policy. By accepting these Terms, the User acknowledges having read this policy and agreeing to its terms.

13. Changes to the Terms

The Operator reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Changes will be brought to users' attention by publication on the Platform or by any other appropriate means. Where possible, material changes will be subject to separate notice. Continued use of the service after the entry into force of the changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. In the event of disagreement, the User must stop using the service and may request the closure of their Account.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of England & Wales. Any dispute relating to their interpretation or performance shall be submitted to the competent courts of England & Wales, to whose jurisdiction the User agrees to submit, without prejudice to any mandatory provision to the contrary in the User's country of residence.

The Operator remains free to bring proceedings before any competent court in the event of a breach of these Terms or of applicable law.