Payment & Refund Policy
Overview
ChessRoster (operated by ChessRoster, LLC), is a platform that facilitates payment processing for chess tournaments. ChessRoster acts solely as a technology platform provider and payment facilitator. By using our services, you agree to this Payment Policy, our Terms of Service, and PayPal’s User Agreement .
Refund Policy
Organizers are responsible for the refund policy for their tournaments. If the organizer does not have a refund policy, the following policy will be applied for registrations processed through ChessRoster:
In order to withdraw from a tournament and receive a refund, the player must utilize ChessRoster to request withdrawal from the tournament prior to the earlier of the tournament’s online registration deadline or 12 hours prior to the tournament’s start time.
This policy only applies if the organizer has not listed their own refund policy.
Payment Methods
For organizers who offer online or in-person registration via ChessRoster, payments are securely processed by PayPal. See our Privacy Policy for more information about how we ensure the security of your data.
Payment Security
All payments are processed through secure, encrypted channels. We adhere to PCI DSS compliance standards and implement multiple layers of security to protect your financial information:
- SSL/TLS encryption
- Fraud detection systems
- Regular security audits
- Automated monitoring
Legal Relationship and Liability
ChessRoster, LLC is not a party to any transaction between tournament organizers and players. Tournament organizers serve as the merchant of record for all transactions related to their tournaments:
- Independent Merchants: Organizers are independent merchants responsible for all aspects of transactions and customer relationships.
- Complete Liability: Organizers assume full responsibility for refunds, disputes, chargebacks, and compliance with PayPal’s terms of service and policies.
- Legal Compliance: Organizers must maintain accurate records and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and tax requirements.
- Disclaimer of Liability: ChessRoster expressly disclaims any and all liability related to:
- Transaction disputes or chargebacks
- Refund processing or delays
- Compliance with laws and regulations
- Financial losses or damages
- Service interruptions or payment processing issues
Players are covered by PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy . Organizers are covered by PayPal’s Seller Protection Policy .
Merchant of Record
Tournament organizers serve as the merchant of record for all transactions related to their tournaments. This means:
- Organizer Responsibility: Organizers are responsible for the transactions and customer relationships.
- Liability: Organizers handle refunds, disputes, and comply with PayPal’s terms of service and policies.
- Compliance: Organizers must maintain accurate records of all transactions and adhere to all legal requirements.
- Disclaimers: ChessRoster disclaims liability related to transaction disputes, refunds, and compliance issues; all liability rests with the organizer.
Account Requirements
To receive payments, organizers must:
- Have a verified PayPal Business account.
- Complete PayPal’s merchant onboarding process.
- Provide required business documentation.
- Maintain good standing with PayPal.
Platform Fees
- Platform fees are paid to ChessRoster by the organizer as part of each PayPal transaction.
Dispute Process
ChessRoster will attempt to assist with payment or refund disputes between organizers and players. However, ChessRoster is not liable for resolving disputes. Users should contact ChessRoster support for assistance.
Organizers are obligated to honor the refund policy they had listed on ChessRoster at the time of the purchase, whether that is a custom policy of the organizer or the standard ChessRoster policy described above. If an organizer fails to honor their refund policy, ChessRoster reserves the right to suspend or terminate their account.
If a player is unable to resolve a payment or refund dispute with the organizer, they may file a dispute directly with PayPal .
United States Chess Federation (USCF) Requirements
Organizers must comply with USCF’s rules and regulations regarding refunds and chargebacks for USCF rated tournaments.
IMPORTANT: As of 2025, the USCF policy for refunds is described in section 23A of the USCF rulebook
23A3. Advance Entry Refunds: Unless otherwise stated in all advance publicity, advance entry fees are refundable to players who give notice of withdrawal before the close of registration for round one.
- TD TIP: Organizers have various policies for refunding early entry fees to players. There may be a cut-off time for notification of a withdrawal, as well as a processing fee for issuing the refund. Contact information and details should be in the advanced publicity.
23A4. No refunds once event starts: A player who begins play in the first round is not entitled to a refund of the entry fee or any portion of it, even if forced to miss most games due to a medical or other emergency. Variations of this policy are at the discretion of the organizer.
Support and Resources
Additional Resources
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, ChessRoster, LLC:
- Makes no warranties regarding payment processing or availability.
- Is not responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages.
- Disclaims all liability for disputes between organizers and players.
- Is not responsible for any loss of profits, revenue, or data.
- Reserves the right to suspend or terminate payment processing services.