PRIVACY POLICY - CHESS HELPER (CHESS.COM)
Last Updated: October 2026
1. INTRODUCTION & CORE PRIVACY COMMITMENT
Chess Helper ("we", "our", or "the extension") is dedicated to providing high-quality chess analysis tools while upholding the strictest standards of user privacy and data security.
Our core philosophy is simple: Your chess games and personal data belong exclusively to you. Chess Helper operates on a 100% client-side, local-first architecture. We do NOT collect, transmit, store, sell, or monetize any personal data, account credentials, cookies, or browsing history.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
2. WHAT DATA IS PROCESSED AND WHERE IT IS STORED
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chess Helper only processes the minimum data necessary to operate its features:
• Local User Preferences:
- Selected engine calculation depth (e.g., 1–25)
- Automation toggles (Auto-Analyze, Auto-Move)
- Humanized move delay ranges (min/max seconds)
- Visual preferences (highlight theme colors, arrows, on-page HUD visibility)
- Sound alert toggle
These settings are stored strictly in your browser using the Chrome Storage API (chrome.storage.sync). They remain on your device and are never uploaded to any remote server or third-party database.
• Active Chessboard State:
- In order to calculate the best move, the extension temporarily reads the current chess board position (FEN notation) from your active Chess.com tab.
- This position data is passed directly into an offline, local Web Worker running the open-source Stockfish chess engine on your own computer.
- Position data is never recorded, saved permanently, or transmitted over the internet.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. DETAILED EXPLANATION OF REQUESTED PERMISSIONS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Chess Helper requests only two specific browser permissions:
A) "storage" Permission:
• Why is it needed?
Allows the extension to remember your customized settings (such as your chosen engine depth, auto-move delays, and highlight colors) between browser sessions and tab reloads.
• Can it be avoided?
No. Without this permission, you would be forced to reconfigure your engine depth, toggles, and colors every single time you open a new tab or restart Chrome.
B) Host Permission ("https://www.chess.com/*"):
• Why is it needed?
Allows the extension's content scripts to detect the chessboard element on Chess.com, read piece coordinates for real-time move analysis, and render visual arrow/highlight overlays directly on the board.
• Can it be avoided?
No. A chess assistant cannot inspect board positions or draw visual move recommendations without access to the specific web page where the game is being played.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. ARE ALL THESE PERMISSIONS DEFINITELY NEEDED?
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
YES. Both requested permissions are strictly indispensable for the extension to carry out its single purpose. At the same time, Chess Helper deliberately AVOIDS dozens of excessive permissions that you may see in other extensions:
• Why broad host permissions (e.g. "<all_urls>") are NOT used:
Many extensions lazily request access to all websites you visit. Chess Helper explicitly restricts its host permission exclusively to "https://www.chess.com/*". The extension has zero access to your other tabs, browsing history, or other websites.
• Why permissions like "webRequest", "cookies", "identity", or "history" are NOT used:
Chess Helper does not need to intercept your network requests, read your session cookies, view your identity, or monitor your web history. We deliberately refuse to include these sensitive permissions to guarantee complete safety and trust.
• Why external network access is NOT needed:
Unlike cloud-based tools that send your game moves to remote servers, Chess Helper bundles the Stockfish chess engine directly inside the extension package. All engine evaluations happen 100% offline inside your browser's local sandbox.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5. NO TRACKING, NO ANALYTICS, NO THIRD PARTIES
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
• No Third-Party Analytics: We do not integrate Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Sentry, or any tracking SDKs.
• No Remote Code Execution: All Javascript files, libraries (jQuery, Stockfish), and styling are bundled locally within the extension package in full compliance with Chrome Web Store Manifest V3 guidelines.
• No Advertising: Chess Helper is completely ad-free.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
6. DATA RETENTION & USER CONTROL
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Because all data is stored locally in your browser's Chrome Storage:
• You can reset or update your preferences at any time directly through the extension popup.
• Uninstalling the Chess Helper extension from Chrome immediately and permanently removes all stored local preferences from your computer.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
7. CONTACT & INQUIRIES
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the security of Chess Helper, please reach out via the official Chrome Web Store support page.