Overview
ChessSchool ("we", "us") is a chess-learning app and website operated by Shailesh Jha. This policy explains what information we collect when you use our web app or mobile app, how we use it, and your choices — including how to delete your account.
Information we collect
- Account data: name, email address, and a hashed password when you register with email. Google sign-in accounts may have no password stored.
- Google sign-in:if you use "Continue with Google", we receive your Google account ID, email, and display name from Google to create or link your ChessSchool account. We do not receive your Google password.
- Student profile: student ID, rank, avatar choice, onboarding preferences (goal, house), and enrollment date.
- Gameplay progress: XP, streak, graduated classes, lesson mastery, homework, ratings, achievements, mistake log, activity history, and related settings synced to your account.
- Guest mode: if you use the app without an account, progress stays on your device only and is not sent to our servers until you enroll.
- Online play: when you create or join a shared game, move data and game state are stored temporarily on our servers so both players can sync.
- Coach voice (TTS): lesson and play coach lines you hear may be synthesized by sending the spoken text to Microsoft Edge Read Aloud (default) or, when configured, Google Cloud Text-to-Speech. Only the text to be spoken is sent — not your full profile.
- Usage analytics (optional): when enabled in Settings, we collect first-party product events (e.g. lesson completed, sign-in) and performance metrics (Core Web Vitals such as LCP and INP) tied to page paths. Signed-in users may have a user ID attached; guests send anonymous events only. We also load Vercel Analytics and Vercel Speed Insights on the website for aggregate traffic and performance. You can turn off first-party analytics and performance sharing in Settings; we honour Do Not Track in the browser when set.
- Error monitoring: when configured, we send crash and error reports to Sentry so we can fix bugs. Reports may include stack traces, page URLs, and browser/device metadata. We do not enable session replay and we do not send default personally identifiable information with these reports.
How we use your information
We use your data solely to provide and improve ChessSchool:
- Authenticate you and sync progress across web and mobile
- Track curriculum completion, exams, homework, and review schedules
- Enable online pass-and-play and share-code multiplayer
- Maintain your student profile and settings
- Measure site performance and product usage when you opt in
We do not sell your personal information. We do not use your data for advertising or cross-app tracking.
Where data is stored
Account and progress data are stored in a SQLite-compatible database hosted via Turso and served through Vercel. Connections use HTTPS encryption in transit.
Optional realtime updates for online games may use Ably when configured. No personal profile data is sent to Ably beyond what is needed to deliver game moves.
Google sign-in is processed by Google under their privacy policy when you choose that option.
Data retention & deletion
We retain your account data while your account is active. You can delete your account at any time from the Account screen in the mobile app or web app. Deletion permanently removes your profile, progress, lesson records, OAuth links, sessions, and any analytics or performance samples tied to your user ID from our servers. This action cannot be undone.
Temporary online game records may remain for a short period without your account identifier. Aggregate, anonymous analytics from Vercel may persist according to Vercel's retention policies and cannot be tied back to you after account deletion.
To request deletion by email, contact us at iamshailesh121@gmail.com.
Children's privacy
ChessSchool is designed for learners of all ages but is not directed at children under 13 without parental involvement. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.
Your rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Account deletion in the app fulfills deletion requests. You can disable first-party analytics and performance sharing in Settings at any time. For other requests, email iamshailesh121@gmail.com.
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of ChessSchool after changes means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy: iamshailesh121@gmail.com. For general help see Support. Related: Terms of Use.