# About Checkmate

Checkmate is a progressive web app with in-game video conferencing

*** ## About Checkmate Live Checkmate Live builds and operates skill-based games for social and competitive play — fast, furious, and built for fair play. We design competitive experiences where outcomes can be trusted, effort is respected, and skill decides the result — and is rewarded. Whether you're playing socially or competing at the highest level, every match should be fair, reviewable, and worth playing. **We started with chess. Other skill-based games will follow.** **Be a Legend. Play Hard. Play Fair.** *** ### Echess: Chess and Esports First In partnership with the [**Asian Chess Federation** ](https://asianchess.com/)**(ACF)**, Checkmate Live powers **Echess** across 52 national member federations spanning Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. Echess is delivered on the Checkmate Live platform in partnership with the Asian Chess Federation, with regional operations coordinated from the UAE and live operations supported from Australia. Powered by **Sixth-i** and **Arbiter Mode**, Echess Online Supervised Events are built for high-integrity competitive play — where rules are enforced consistently and outcomes can be reviewed when needed. [Learn more about Echess →](https://playbook.checkmate.live/echess-rulesets) *** ### Fair Play Innovation is Our Foundation **Our battleground is verifiable truth and fair play.** Online competition only works when players trust the outcome. Cheating is real, disputes happen, and "bias" gets alleged the moment something feels off — so we built fair play first. #### Cloud-native. Broadcast-ready. Built for speed. We run a cloud-native competition stack with real-time video, in-platform broadcasts, and multi-match viewing — and we were the first to deliver a full edge deployment for competitive play in this category, enabling low-latency matches, supervision, and broadcast-grade reliability. Fair play is powered by **Sixth-i** and **Szuperchess** computer-vision technology from VADR Media. [Learn more about our anti-cheat technology →](https://www.checkmate.live/anti-cheat) #### Different formats and stakes need different standards We scale responsibly — compliance-as-code, with human review when it matters. Detection and prevention are table stakes. The missing pillar is **proof** — and we're closing it. VADR Media's [Fair Play Lab](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/fair-play-lab) is building cryptographic proof systems that verify outcomes are legitimate and reviewable — without giving cheaters a playbook. We balance transparency with protection and privacy — reducing the risk of gaming without compromising fairness. Read our Fair Play Policy → *** ### Competitive Play by Design Checkmate Live is built to support competitive play at scale — with cloud-native infrastructure designed for consistent play, and for reviewable matches and outcomes. **Key Features:** * **Full edge deployment** for competitive play — low latency, supervision support, broadcast-grade reliability * **Live player view and delayed fan view** to reduce ghosting and stream-sniping * **In-platform broadcasts** and multi-match viewing * **AI and ML evidence-based** detection and review methods * **Video-supervised workflows** for higher-stakes play * **Case management and audit trails** * **Skill-aware matchmaking and divisions** *** ### Performance as Part of Fairness **Competitive play has an invisible opponent: latency.** In time-based competition, milliseconds decide outcomes. If clocks, move registration, or routing aren't engineered correctly, performance becomes an unfair advantage. We treat performance as part of competitive integrity through: * **Cloud-native, edge-first** real-time delivery * **Server-authoritative timing** to prevent clock and network manipulation * **Competitive lag compensation** so skill — not routing luck — decides outcomes * **Tournament-grade reliability** for live and broadcast events *** ### Fair Play Innovation Partners #### VADR Media — Fair Play Innovation Partner [VADR Media](https://www.vadr.media/) produces and promotes new media, sports and entertainment, delivering content across free-to-air, cable, pay-per-view, and online platforms since 2005. Checkmate Live uses [**Sixth-i**](https://www.checkmate.live/anti-cheat) and **Szuperchess** computer-vision technology under licence from VADR Media. VADR Media's Fair Play Lab leads ongoing fair play R\&D, with approved systems deployed and tested on the Checkmate Live platform. #### University of Technology Sydney Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute AI-based detection algorithms used within the integrity stack are developed through research collaboration with the [University of Technology Sydney Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute](https://www.uts.edu.au/research/centres/australian-artificial-intelligence-institute) — recognised with the [**2024 ANZ Sports Technology Award**](https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2024/11/uts-and-vadr-partnership-earns-sports-technology-award) for this collaboration. *** ### Our Ethos **Neutral by Design**\ Checkmate Live is built for global competition. We don't take sides — the rules are the rules. All players are welcome and treated equally. **Fair Play First**\ Players are expected to compete to the best of their ability and follow the rules at all times. **Respect**\ Strong competition doesn't mean abuse. Respect opponents, officials, and administrators. Abuse toward players or platform staff isn't tolerated. **Fair Go**\ We're committed to providing opportunities and rewards to users who participate fairly. **Tolerance**\ We encourage good sportsmanship — on and off the board. *** ### Competitive Integrity and Platform Rules We expect all participants to compete fairly and respect other players, officials, and platform staff. Our [Community Code of Conduct ](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/code-of-conduct)and [Fair Play Policy ](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/fair-play-or-no-play/fair-play-policy)set the standard — and if something's unclear, we want to hear from you through official channels. #### One Player, One Account To protect fair competition, each player may maintain only one account. [Read the full policy →](https://playbook.checkmate.live/account-management/one-player-one-account) #### VPNs and Proxies VPNs and proxies are not permitted on Checkmate Live. Location verification is essential for fair play, safety, compliance, and security. Use of VPNs or proxies may trigger access restrictions or bans. #### Age Restrictions Checkmate Live enforces age restrictions in line with applicable laws and platform policies. Some features may require age verification or additional safeguards. [Read the full policy →](https://playbook.checkmate.live/account-management/age-restrictions) *** ### Enforcement and Appeals Players may be restricted or banned for violations of our [Fair Play Policy](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/fair-play-or-no-play/fair-play-policy) or [Community Code of Conduct.](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/code-of-conduct) **When action is taken:** * Affected users are notified via **in-app chat.** * The ruling includes the reason, policy basis, and appeal process (if applicable) * Appeals are submitted through the same channel, based on the ruling We balance **transparency** (so standards are clear) with **privacy** (individual cases aren't litigated publicly). [Learn about enforcement →](https://playbook.checkmate.live/fair-play/fair-play-or-no-play/fair-play-policy) *** ### Community Safety and Security Social engineering, cheating, and policy breaches are treated seriously — and actioned fast. **This includes (not limited to):** * Using engines, AI assistance, bots, or external help during play * Attempting to operate multiple accounts or bypass identity verification * Attempting to coordinate rule violations or exploit platform mechanics * Impersonating platform staff, officials, or other users * Attempting to manipulate support processes or decisions * Harassment, threats, or abuse toward players, officials, or staff We enforce strictly to protect community safety (including minors), competitive integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational security. Violations result in immediate restrictions or permanent bans, with coordinated or systematic violations reported to authorities and relevant bodies where applicable. Appeals are handled through **in-app chat** . We don't publicly discuss individual cases to protect privacy. *** ### Platform Transparency and Discourse **We engage openly with our community on:** * Tournament operations, matchmaking, and competitive formats * Fair play standards and policies * Feature development and platform improvements * Technical performance and reliability **Some areas aren't open for public discussion:** * Specific anti-cheat detection methods (to prevent gaming the system) * Individual cases (privacy) * Infrastructure and security procedures (operational security) We balance transparency (so you can hold us accountable) with operational security (so we can protect competitive integrity). #### Official Channels * **Platform support and appeals:** In-app chat * **Policy updates:** Policy Log * **Tournament announcements:** In-app notifications and Email #### Community Channels (Not Official Support) We may participate in community spaces (including discord), but we don't action account requests, enforcement matters, or support tickets there. **Requests via community channels, social media DMs, unofficial channels, or third-party intermediaries cannot be actioned.** *** ### Contact #### Fair Play Fair play rulings are issued via in-app chat. General support cannot assist with fair play matters. Direct inquiries through the channel specified in the ruling. #### Official Communications Official support, rulings, and account requests are handled **only** via: * **In-app chat** on play.checkmate.live * **In-product notifications and email** We don't action requests via community channels or social media DMs — it reduces impersonation and account fraud. Staff operate under pseudonyms for operational security. FIDE arbiters supervising events are listed in accordance with [FIDE standards](https://playbook.checkmate.live/echess-rulesets). *** ### Policy Log We keep a public log of material updates to policies that affect competitive integrity, privacy, and platform rules — so players, partners, and regulators can track changes over time. View Policy Log → *** For company information, jurisdiction details, and legal documentation, see our Company page.