Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance

These Terms apply to Stake Chess, available at https://stakechess.co.zw (the "Site"). By creating an account you agree to these Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, do not create an account or use the Site.

We may update these Terms. Material changes will be announced on the site; continuing to play after a change means you accept it.

2. Real money and risk warning

This site involves real money. When you enter a match you stake real funds, and you can lose your entire stake.

Winning is NOT guaranteed. Results depend on your skill and your opponent's. Nothing on this site, including ratings, past results or marketing, promises or implies profit or income.

Only play with money you can afford to lose. Do not borrow money to play. If gaming stops being fun or causes you harm, stop playing and contact support to close your account.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and have legal capacity to enter a contract.

You are responsible for making sure that playing real-money skill games is lawful where you live. You must not use the site where it is prohibited.

One person, one account. You must provide a mobile number that you own and that is registered in your own name for EcoCash or O'mari.

4. Your account

Your mobile number is linked to your wallet and cannot be changed. All deposits and withdrawals must use that number.

Keep your password secret. You are responsible for all activity on your account. Tell us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access.

Do not share, sell, transfer or buy accounts.

5. Deposits, wallet and withdrawals

Deposits are made via Paynow using supported mobile money. Funds appear in your wallet once the payment is confirmed. We are not responsible for delays or failures by Paynow, your mobile money provider or your network.

Wallet balances are not a bank deposit, earn no interest and are held only for use on this site.

Withdrawals are requests. Funds are held immediately and are reviewed and paid manually, to the mobile number on your account only. Processing may take time, and we may request verification before paying.

Minimum deposit and withdrawal is $1.00. Mobile money or payment provider charges may apply and are your responsibility.

We may delay, refuse or reverse transactions that appear fraudulent, erroneous, or in breach of these Terms, and may report suspicious activity to the authorities.

6. Matches, stakes and fees

When you join a match your stake is deducted from your wallet and held until the match ends. Both players stake the same amount.

The winner receives the combined pot minus a 15% platform fee. The fee is shown before you join a match.

Draw by agreement: stakes are refunded minus the platform fee, split between the two players. Other draws (such as stalemate) and matches aborted before both players have moved are refunded in full with no fee.

Running out of time on the clock is a loss. Resigning is a loss. Disconnecting or leaving a match in progress does not pause the clock; if your time runs out you lose.

Once a match has started you cannot cancel it. Results, once recorded by the server, are final, subject to section 8.

7. Fair play

You must not use chess engines, databases, opening or endgame tools, other people's help, or any other outside assistance during a match.

You must not collude with an opponent, play against yourself with multiple accounts, manipulate results (including deliberately losing to transfer funds), exploit bugs, or automate play with bots.

Chat must be respectful. Harassment, abuse, spam and illegal content are prohibited.

You may not use the site for money laundering or to move funds between persons.

8. Disputes, errors and enforcement

If you believe a result or transaction is wrong, contact support promptly with the match or reference number. We will review the records and our decision is final, to the extent permitted by law.

If we detect or reasonably suspect a breach of these Terms, we may void matches, withhold or reverse winnings, suspend or close accounts and refund remaining legitimate balances where lawful.

If a technical error credits or debits funds incorrectly, we may correct the balance.

9. Availability and liability

The service is provided "as is" without guarantees of uninterrupted or error-free operation. Matches may be affected by outages or connection problems, including yours.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for losses arising from your play, your connection, third-party payment providers, or events beyond our control. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded by law.

10. Privacy

We collect your mobile number, username, transaction and match history and connection data to run the service, prevent fraud and meet legal obligations. We share payment data with Paynow and your mobile money provider as needed to process transactions. We do not sell your personal information.

11. Responsible play and closing your account

You can ask support at any time to close your account or to block you from playing. Any remaining available balance will be paid to your registered number, subject to checks under these Terms.

12. General

These Terms are governed by the laws of Zimbabwe. If any part is found unenforceable, the rest remains in force.