Chess.com deletion is permanent and removes your account, rating history, and all games within 30 days
When you delete your Chess.com account, the site removes your username, rating, game history, and profile from their servers. This process is irreversible — you cannot recover the account, your games, or your rating after deletion completes. If you simply want to stop playing without losing your history, deactivation (which hides your account temporarily) is the better choice. Deletion is for when you want the account gone entirely.
The deletion request takes effect immediately, but Chess.com keeps your data for 30 days before permanently erasing it. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion request and restore your account. After 30 days, everything is gone.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion removes your account, username, rating, and all games permanently after 30 days, and you cannot undo it after that window closes.
- You must log in to your Chess.com account and go to Settings > Account to find the delete option — there is no way to delete an account you cannot access.
- Chess.com will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving before processing the deletion request.
- If you change your mind within 30 days, you can cancel the deletion and restore your account by logging back in.
- If you simply want to hide your account without losing your history, use the deactivation option instead, which you can reverse at any time.
Steps to delete your account on Chess.com
Log into your Chess.com account using your username and password. Go to your profile by clicking your username in the top right corner, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
In Settings, find the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down to the bottom of the Account page until you see the Delete Account section. Click the button labeled "Delete Account" or "Close Account" (the exact wording varies by when your account was created).
Chess.com will show you a confirmation screen. Read the warning — it will tell you that deletion is permanent and your games and rating will be erased. You will need to enter your password again to confirm you own the account. Some accounts are also asked to select a reason for leaving from a dropdown menu (reasons include "I play elsewhere," "I don't enjoy the site," or "Other").
After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day deletion window. Your profile becomes invisible to other players immediately, but the account can still be restored if you log back in during those 30 days.
What happens to your games and rating after deletion
All your games — blitz, rapid, classical, puzzle rush, lessons, and any other format — are deleted along with your account. Your rating in every time control disappears. Other players' game records will no longer show your name; instead, they will see "[deleted account]" or a similar placeholder.
If you had a Chess.com membership (premium, diamond, or platinum), the subscription ends immediately. You will not be refunded for unused time on your membership. If you have a membership you want to keep, cancel it separately before requesting account deletion, or contact Chess.com support to ask about a refund before you delete.
Any tournaments you were registered for will show you as a no-show. If you won money in a tournament or had a pending payout, contact Chess.com support before deleting to arrange payment, because deleted accounts cannot receive payouts.
How to restore your account within the 30-day window
If you change your mind, log back into Chess.com using your username and password at any point during the 30 days after you requested deletion. Your account will still exist and you will be able to access it normally.
Once you log in, go back to Settings > Account and look for a message or button that says "Cancel Deletion" or "Restore Account." Click it to stop the deletion process. Your games, rating, and profile will remain on Chess.com.
After the 30-day window closes, you cannot restore the account. The deletion becomes permanent and you will need to create a new account if you want to play on Chess.com again.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you want to step away from Chess.com but keep your account and history intact, use deactivation instead. A deactivated account is hidden from other players — your profile does not appear in searches, your rating is not shown on leaderboards, and no one can message you. However, your games and rating are preserved on Chess.com's servers.
To deactivate, go to Settings > Account and look for the Deactivate Account option (separate from Delete Account). Deactivation takes effect immediately. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in, and everything will be restored exactly as it was.
Deactivation is useful if you are taking a break, want privacy, or are unsure whether you will return to Chess.com. Deletion is only for when you are certain you will not use the account again.
If you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password or no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you cannot delete it yourself through Settings. Contact Chess.com support at support@chess.com and explain that you want to delete your account. Provide your username and any information that proves you own the account (such as the email address it was created with, or details about your membership).
Support will verify your identity and process the deletion for you. This process usually takes a few business days. Once support confirms the deletion, the same 30-day window applies — you can still contact them to cancel the deletion if you change your mind within that period.
What to do before you delete
Download or screenshot your games if you want to keep a record of them. Chess.com does not provide an automatic export of your game history, but you can view each game on your profile and copy the PGN (the standard chess notation format) manually. Some third-party tools can help scrape your games, though this requires technical knowledge.
Cancel any active membership to avoid losing money. If you have a paid subscription, cancel it in Settings > Membership before you delete your account, or contact support to request a refund for unused time.
If you won tournament money or have a pending payout, contact support to arrange payment before deletion. Deleted accounts cannot receive payments.
If you have a Chess.com gift card or store credit, use it before deletion — you will lose it when the account is deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Chess.com account if I have a membership?
Yes, but your membership will end immediately and you will not receive a refund for unused time. Cancel your membership separately before deleting, or contact support to ask about a refund before you proceed with deletion.
What if I delete my account and then want to play Chess.com again?
You can restore your account within 30 days by logging back in. After 30 days, you will need to create a new account with a different username. Your old rating and games will be gone permanently.
Will other players still see my games after I delete my account?
No. Your games will be deleted along with your account. Other players' game records will show "[deleted account]" or a similar placeholder instead of your name.
Does Chess.com offer a way to download all my games before deletion?
Chess.com does not have an automatic export feature for your entire game history. You can view and copy individual games in PGN format from your profile, but downloading all games requires manual work or third-party tools.
What is the difference between deactivation and deletion?
Deactivation hides your account and profile but keeps your games and rating on Chess.com's servers. You can reactivate at any time. Deletion removes your account, games, and rating permanently after 30 days and cannot be undone after that window closes.