Last Updated: March 1, 2026

In this Privacy Policy, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to GruntChess.com, operating at https://www.gruntchess.com (the “Service”). This Privacy Policy describes what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices regarding that information.

Information We Collect

Account Information
When you register for an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Username
• Password (stored as a one-way cryptographic hash; we cannot read your password)

Game Data
When you use the Service, we store your game history, including moves, results, and ratings. This data is used to provide the Service and is visible to other users as part of normal gameplay.

Usage Data
We automatically collect certain information when you visit the Service, including your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on those pages.

Cookies

We use the following cookies:

Session Cookie

Type: Session
Purpose: Keeps you authenticated while you use the Service. Deleted when you close your browser.

Login Cookie (gcl)

Type: Persistent (180 days)
Purpose: Remembers your login so you do not have to sign in each visit. You can clear this by logging out.

Login Defaults Cookie (gcld)

Type: Persistent (45 days)
Purpose: Remembers your username on the login form for convenience.

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you refuse cookies, you will not be able to log in or use the Service.

For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy.

How We Use Your Information

• To provide, operate, and maintain the Service
• To manage your account and authenticate your identity
• To contact you by email for account-related matters (password resets, login links, security notices)
• To monitor usage and improve the Service

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Service. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit, what pages they visit, and what other sites they used prior to coming to the Service. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
Google’s Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Brevo (Sendinblue)

We use Brevo to send transactional emails (login links, password resets, account notifications). We do not send marketing or promotional emails.
Brevo’s Privacy Policy: https://www.brevo.com/legal/privacypolicy/

Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your information. Passwords are stored using bcrypt hashing and cannot be retrieved or read by anyone, including us. All connections to the Service are encrypted via HTTPS. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Data Retention

We retain your account and game data for as long as your account is active. If you wish to delete your account and associated data, please contact us at support@gruntchess.com.

Children’s Privacy

Our Service is not directed to anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will remove that information.

Your Choices

• You can update your email or username through your account settings.
• You can clear your login cookie by logging out.
• You can opt out of Google Analytics using the browser add-on linked above.
• You can request deletion of your account and data by contacting us.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date above.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us at support@gruntchess.com.