Terms of Service
Last updated: 11 September 2026
Welcome to African Chess Lounge. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, mobile applications, services, and programs (collectively, the "Services"). Please read these Terms carefully before using our Services.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and African Chess Lounge (referred to as "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
Important: If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use our Services. For questions about these Terms, contact us at info@africanchesslounge.org
Acceptance of Terms
Agreement to Terms
By accessing or using the African Chess Lounge website, mobile application, or any of our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use our services independently. Users under 18 may use our services only with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes via email or prominent website notice. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
User Accounts & Registration
Account Creation
When creating an account, you must provide accurate, complete, and current information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.
Account Security
You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account or any other security breach. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.
Account Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these terms, fraudulent activity, or any conduct we deem inappropriate or harmful to our community.
Use of Services
Permitted Use
Our services are provided for educational, recreational, and competitive chess activities. You agree to use our services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Prohibited Conduct
You may not: (a) use our services for any illegal purpose; (b) attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems; (c) interfere with other users' enjoyment of our services; (d) upload malicious code or viruses; (e) impersonate any person or entity; (f) engage in any form of harassment, abuse, or discrimination.
Content Standards
Any content you submit must be respectful, appropriate, and relevant to chess and our community. We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these standards without notice.
Intellectual Property Rights
Ownership
All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, software, and course materials, is the property of African Chess Lounge or its licensors and is protected by South African and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.
Limited License
We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our services for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our content without explicit written permission.
User-Generated Content
By submitting content to our platform (comments, photos, videos, etc.), you grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display such content in connection with our services and promotional activities.
Trademarks
African Chess Lounge, our logo, and other marks are trademarks of African Chess Lounge. You may not use these trademarks without our prior written consent.
Payment Terms
Pricing
All prices are listed in South African Rand (ZAR) and are subject to change without notice. We strive to ensure pricing accuracy but reserve the right to correct pricing errors.
Payment Methods
We accept payments via credit/debit card (through Yoco), bank transfer, and cash for in-person transactions. All online payments are processed securely through our payment service providers.
Event Registration & Membership Fees
Payment is required to confirm event registration or membership activation. Once payment is received, you will receive confirmation via email.
Late Payment
Failure to pay membership fees on time may result in suspension of membership benefits until payment is received.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Event Cancellations by Users
Cancellations made more than 7 days before an event may be eligible for a full refund minus a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations made within 7 days of an event are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by us.
Event Cancellations by African Chess Lounge
If we cancel an event, you will receive a full refund or credit toward a future event. We are not responsible for any travel or accommodation costs incurred.
Membership Cancellations
Monthly memberships can be cancelled at any time, effective at the end of the current billing cycle. Annual memberships are non-refundable after 30 days from purchase.
Product Returns
Physical products purchased through our shop may be returned within 14 days in original condition for a refund or exchange. Shipping costs are non-refundable. Custom or personalized items are non-returnable.
Refund Processing
Approved refunds will be processed within 14 business days to the original payment method.
Limitation of Liability
Service Availability
We strive to provide uninterrupted access to our services but do not guarantee that our website or services will always be available or error-free. We reserve the right to suspend or discontinue any part of our services for maintenance or other reasons.
Disclaimer of Warranties
Our services are provided 'as is' and 'as available' without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
Limitation of Damages
To the maximum extent permitted by law, African Chess Lounge, its directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services.
Maximum Liability
Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of our services shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.
Assumption of Risk
Participation in chess tournaments and physical events involves inherent risks. By participating, you acknowledge and assume these risks. We recommend appropriate insurance coverage for participants.
Indemnification
User Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless African Chess Lounge, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of our services; (b) your violation of these terms; (c) your violation of any third-party rights; or (d) any content you submit to our platform.
Termination
Termination by You
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at info@africanchesslounge.org. Upon termination, you will lose access to your account and any associated benefits.
Termination by Us
We may terminate or suspend your access immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including breach of these terms. Upon termination, your right to use our services ceases immediately.
Effect of Termination
Provisions of these terms that by their nature should survive termination (including intellectual property rights, liability limitations, and dispute resolution) shall survive.
Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
Applicable Law
These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Jurisdiction
Any legal action or proceeding arising under these terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the Western Cape, South Africa, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
Dispute Resolution
We encourage you to contact us first to resolve any disputes informally. If we cannot resolve a dispute through informal means, we agree to attempt mediation before pursuing litigation.
Class Action Waiver
You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.
Additional Provisions
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party sites. Use of third-party sites is at your own risk.
Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, war, terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, or government restrictions.
Severability
If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement
These Terms of Service, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and African Chess Lounge regarding use of our services.
Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
Assignment
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.
Questions About These Terms?
If you have questions or concerns about these Terms of Service, please contact us:
Postal Address
African Chess Lounge
1 Memento Drive
Durbanville, 7550
Western Cape, South Africa
Acknowledgment of Terms
By using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy, and that you agree to be bound by them.
These Terms were last updated on 11 September 2026. We may update these Terms from time to time, and continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance of any changes.