Terms of service

Last updated: June 19, 2026

OVERVIEW

Welcome to Thinking Chess Academy! The terms "we", "us" and "our" refer to Thinking Chess Academy. Thinking Chess Academy operates this online store, website, and our chess educational programs, including all related information, content, features, tools, products, and services (collectively, the "Services"). Thinking Chess Academy is powered by Shopify, which enables us to provide the e-commerce infrastructure of our Services to you.

The below terms and conditions, together with any policies referenced herein (these "Terms of Service" or "Terms") describe your rights and responsibilities when you use our Services, purchase physical products, or enrol students in our chess classes, camps, and tournaments.

Please read these Terms of Service carefully, as they include important information about your legal rights and cover areas such as registration rules, payment terms, academic codes of conduct, warranty disclaimers, and a comprehensive limitation of liability.

By visiting, interacting with, purchasing from, or enrolling a student in our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms of Service or Privacy Policy, you should not use or access our Services.

SECTION 1 - ACCESS, ACCOUNTS, AND ENROLMENT

By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your province or state of residence (18 years of age in Ontario). If you are registering or enrolling a minor dependent in our chess classes, camps, or tournaments, you represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of such minor, and you give us your express consent to allow them to participate in our programs and use the Services.

To use our Services, including purchasing products or registering for courses, you may be asked to provide certain information, such as your name, email address, billing/shipping information, as well as student data (name, age, skill level). You represent and warrant that all information you provide is correct, current, and complete.

You are solely responsible for maintaining the security of any account credentials and for all activity occurring under your account or registration.

SECTION 2 - ACADEMY REGISTRATION, PLACEMENT, AND BEHAVIOUR

  • Enrolment and Assessments: Completing a registration form does not guarantee immediate participation in a specific course or group. Student placement is determined following an evaluation or assessment to ensure appropriate skill-level groupings. We reserve the right to decline or cancel a registration if a suitable group is unavailable or if the information provided is incomplete.

  • Code of Conduct: We promote core values of respect, honesty, sportsmanship, humility, and perseverance. Students and attending guardians are expected to behave respectfully toward instructors and peers.

  • Suspension: The Academy reserves the absolute right to suspend or permanently terminate a student’s participation, without refund, in the event of repeated disruptive, disrespectful, or unsafe behaviour.

  • Attendance and Supervision: Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring students arrive on time and are picked up promptly at the scheduled class conclusion. Thinking Chess Academy does not provide child care or supervision outside of scheduled instructional hours.

SECTION 3 - PRODUCTS, MATERIALS, AND EQUIPMENT

We have made every effort to provide an accurate representation of our physical products (such as chess sets, boards, or equipment) and services in our online store. However, product appearance or colors may differ due to device screen configurations.

We reserve the right to change descriptions or discontinue any product or academic course at any time without notice at our sole discretion.

All specialized chess equipment, software access, and training materials required during lessons are provided by Thinking Chess Academy for use during class. Students are responsible for exercising reasonable care when using the Academy's property. Parents or guardians may be held financially liable for willful or negligent damage to equipment or physical facilities.

SECTION 4 - ORDERS AND PURCHASES

When you place an order or complete an enrolment, you are making an offer to purchase. Thinking Chess Academy reserves the right to accept or decline your order for any reason at its discretion. We must receive and process your payment before your order or registration is fully accepted and confirmed.

You represent and warrant that your purchases of physical products are for your own personal or household use and not for commercial resale or export.

SECTION 5 - PRICES, FEES, AND REFUNDS

Prices, discounts, and promotions are subject to change without notice. The price charged for a product or service will be the price in effect at the time the order is placed.

  • Academic Fees: Course and tournament fees must be paid in full to secure a student's spot prior to the start of the first scheduled class or program term.

  • Refund Policy for Products: Physical item purchases are subject to return or exchange solely in accordance with our specific Return Policy.

  • Refund Policy for Academy Courses: Enrolment fees are fully refundable if a class or program is cancelled by the Academy. For voluntary student withdrawals, refunds or pro-rated credits may only be issued if requested in writing at least seven (7) days before the program's official start date. Once the program term or classes begin, fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.

SECTION 6 - SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

For physical goods, we are not liable for shipping and delivery delays. All delivery times are estimates only. Once we transfer products to the shipping carrier, title and risk of loss pass to you.

SECTION 7 - PHOTOGRAPHY AND MEDIA CONSENT

From time to time, Thinking Chess Academy may take photographs or short video recordings during classes, tournaments, or events for educational, instructional, or promotional purposes (including our website and official social media).

By agreeing to these Terms, you grant us permission to use such media. If you prefer that your child not appear in any promotional media, you must notify us explicitly in writing at info@thinkingchess.ca prior to the start of the program term.

SECTION 8 - RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER, AND INDEMNITY (READ CAREFULLY)

BY ACCESSING THE SERVICES, PURCHASING PRODUCTS, OR COMPLETING AN ACADEMY ENROLMENT, YOU (AND ON BEHALF OF YOUR MINOR DEPENDENTS) AGREE TO WAIVE CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE.

  • Assumption of Risk: You acknowledge that participation in chess programs, tournaments, and camps involves inherent movements and risks associated with attending in-person activities, navigating community spaces, and participating in recreational and educational settings. You voluntarily assume all risks associated with your or your child’s participation.

  • Waiver and Release: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AGREE TO RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Thinking Chess Academy, its directors, officers, employees, instructors, volunteers, and the owners/operators of the facilities where Programs are held (collectively, the "Releasees"), FROM ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, OR INJURIES (INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR LOSS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR OR YOUR CHILD’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMS OR USE OF PURCHASED PRODUCTS, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE.

  • Indemnification: You agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Releasees from any and all liability for any property damage or personal injury to any third party resulting from your or your child's participation or conduct in our programs.

SECTION 9 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our Services, including but not limited to all trademarks, logos, texts, curriculum designs, lesson sheets, images, graphics, video, and audio, are owned by Thinking Chess Academy, its affiliates or licensors and are protected by Canadian and foreign copyright and intellectual property laws. You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, or republish any material without our prior written consent.

SECTION 10 - OPTIONAL TOOLS AND THIRD-PARTY LINKS

We may provide you with access to optional third-party tools (such as scheduling links or external chess software platforms) and hyperlinks to websites operated by third parties (such as embedded widgets). We neither monitor nor have control over these tools. You acknowledge that we provide access "as is" without warranties of any kind. Any use of third-party tools or links is entirely at your own risk.

SECTION 11 - RELATIONSHIP WITH SHOPIFY

Thinking Chess Academy's e-commerce infrastructure is hosted by Shopify. However, any sales, enrolments, and purchases you make are directly with Thinking Chess Academy. Shopify is not responsible for any aspect of any transactions or interactions between you and Thinking Chess Academy. You hereby expressly release Shopify and its affiliates from all claims, damages, and liabilities arising from or related to your transactions with Thinking Chess Academy.

SECTION 12 - PRIVACY POLICY

All personal information collected through our store and educational services is strictly subject to our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed in our dedicated policy section. Because the Services are hosted by Shopify, certain infrastructure data is securely processed in accordance with Shopify's Privacy Policy.

SECTION 13 - PROHIBITED USES

You may access and use the Services for lawful purposes only. You are prohibited from using the site or its content: (a) for any unlawful purpose; (b) to violate any international, federal, provincial, or local regulations, laws, or ordinances; (c) to infringe upon our intellectual property; (d) to harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, or intimidate any of our employees, instructors, or students; (e) to upload viruses or malicious code; or (f) to scrape or collect personal information from others. We reserve the right to terminate your access or account for violating any prohibited uses.

SECTION 14 - TERMINATION

We may terminate this agreement or your access to the Services (or any part thereof, including class attendance) in our sole discretion at any time without notice if you fail to comply with these Terms, and you will remain liable for all amounts due up to and including the date of termination.

SECTION 15 - DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED BY THINKING CHESS ACADEMY, THE SERVICES AND ALL PRODUCTS/COURSES OFFERED ARE PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND 'AS AVAILABLE' FOR YOUR USE, WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PROVIDED BY LAW, IN NO CASE SHALL THINKING CHESS ACADEMY, OUR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, INSTRUCTORS, VOLUNTEERS, OR SERVICE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY, LOSS, CLAIM, OR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES OR ANY PRODUCTS OR ACADEMY PROGRAMS PROCURED, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THEIR POSSIBILITY.

SECTION 16 - SEVERABILITY & ENTIRE AGREEMENT

In the event that any provision of these Terms of Service is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, such provision shall nonetheless be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the unenforceable portion shall be deemed severed without affecting the validity of any remaining provisions. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Services.

SECTION 17 - GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you products or academic Services shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. You and Thinking Chess Academy consent to the exclusive venue and jurisdiction of the courts located in Ontario.

SECTION 18 - CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about the Terms of Service should be sent to us at info@thinkingchess.ca.

Our business contact information is posted below:

  • Trading Name: Thinking Chess Academy

  • Email: info@thinkingchess.ca

  • Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada