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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about ChessStake, payments, gameplay, and security.

General

What is ChessStake?
ChessStake is a competitive chess platform where players can stake USDC on 1v1 matches. All stakes are managed by smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain, ensuring fair, transparent, and instant payouts. The winner receives 80% of the pot automatically.
Is ChessStake gambling?
No. ChessStake is a skill-based competition platform. Unlike gambling, there is absolutely no element of luck, chance, or randomness involved. The outcome is determined 100% by the players' chess skill. This is comparable to esports tournaments, fantasy sports, or pool competitions with prize money.
Do I need to create an account?
You can connect with just your wallet for basic play. However, creating an account allows you to track your statistics, maintain an ELO rating, appear on the leaderboard, and participate in ranked matches.

Payments & Stakes

What is the payout structure?
80% goes to the winner, and 20% goes to the protocol. For example, in a $50 vs $50 match ($100 pot), the winner receives $80 USDC automatically. In case of a draw, each player loses 10% of their stake.
What are the minimum and maximum stakes?
Minimum stake is $1 USDC, and the maximum is $100,000 USDC per match. You can also play free games (0 stake) to practice.
How do I get USDC on Polygon?
You can get USDC on Polygon by:
  • Bridging from Ethereum using the Polygon Bridge
  • Buying directly on exchanges that support Polygon withdrawals (Coinbase, Binance)
  • Using swap services like Uniswap on Polygon
Are there any fees besides the 20% protocol fee?
You only pay Polygon network gas fees for transactions (typically less than $0.01). There are no hidden fees, deposit fees, or withdrawal fees.

Gameplay

What time controls are available?
ChessStake offers three time formats:
  • Bullet: 1+0, 1+1
  • Blitz: 3+0, 3+2, 5+3
  • Rapid: 10+5, 15+10
What happens if I disconnect during a game?
If you disconnect, your clock continues running. You have 60 seconds to reconnect before being flagged (losing on time). We recommend a stable internet connection for staked matches.
What happens in a draw?
In case of a draw (by agreement, stalemate, threefold repetition, or 50-move rule), each player receives back 80% of their stake. The 20% protocol fee still applies.

Security

Is ChessStake safe? Does the platform hold my funds?
ChessStake is non-custodial. Your funds are never held by the platform. All stakes are managed by an audited smart contract on Polygon. Funds transfer directly between player wallets.
How do you prevent cheating?
We use multiple anti-cheat measures:
  • Move time analysis to detect engine-like play
  • Statistical analysis of move accuracy
  • Behavioral pattern recognition
  • Manual review of flagged accounts
Cheaters are banned and forfeit their stakes.
What if there's a dispute?
The smart contract has an arbiter function for edge cases. If a game result is disputed (e.g., suspected cheating), the arbiter can review the game and override the result if necessary. All game moves are recorded on-chain for transparency.