Terms and Conditions
Last updated August 25, 2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Aldercot application (“App”) provided by Aldercot (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the App. Apple’s Licensed Application End User License Agreement also applies to apps obtained from the App Store.
Aldercot is an elegant chess app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It offers play against a computer, pass-and-play, play over iMessage, an optional Ghost of Yesterday mode, cosmetic boards and pieces, a recreational estimated Elo, and optional paid upgrades. Features may change over time.
Aldercot is an indie passion project, made for the love of the game, not a large-studio product. It may contain bugs, unfinished corners, odd computer moves, display quirks, or features that change or go away. Estimated Elo, openings, and analysis are recreational. If something breaks, use Report a bug on the About tab. By using the App you accept that it is offered as an independent work in progress, “as is.”
We grant you a personal, limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the App for your own non-commercial enjoyment, solely as installed on devices you own or control, in accordance with these Terms and Apple’s terms.
The App stores settings, game records, estimated Elo, unlock progress, and purchase status on your device. Purchases you make are processed by Apple under your Apple ID. We are not currently operating an Aldercot usage-analytics or “diagnostics sharing” program. Collection described in older versions of the App is paused. Local game history on your device is not deleted by that pause.
© 2026 Aldercot. All rights reserved. The Aldercot name, rook mark, interface, original piece drawings, synthesized sounds, Ghost of Yesterday, Messages play, and the App as a whole are owned by Aldercot. You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse engineer, or create derivative works of the App except as permitted by law. The rules of chess are in the public domain. Our piece drawings are original geometry following the unprotectable Staunton idea. Apple, App Store, iMessage, and related marks are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google and AdMob are trademarks of Google LLC. FIDE, US Chess, Chess.com, and Lichess belong to their owners and appear only for identification. Aldercot is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by those parties.
Aldercot Plus is an auto-renewing subscription billed through Apple. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation and renews unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period in Apple ID settings (Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions). Aldercot Lifetime is a one-time non-consumable purchase that removes ads and keeps Plus cosmetics while you own the App on that Apple ID. Displayed prices are set in App Store Connect and charged by Apple. Promo codes, if offered, are single-use and may grant Lifetime access. Use Restore Purchases after reinstalling. Purchases do not change computer strength. Refunds are handled by Apple under Apple’s refund policies.
If you have not purchased Plus or Lifetime (or redeemed an equivalent code), the App may show labeled advertisements from Google AdMob on Home, Studio, Rating, and the game-over card. Ads do not cover a live board. Google’s advertising software may collect advertising identifiers and related data under Google’s policies and, where required, Apple’s App Tracking Transparency prompt. You can remove Aldercot ads by purchasing Plus or Lifetime.
Estimated Elo and career stats are recreational figures for games played in this App only. They are not ratings of FIDE, US Chess, Chess.com, Lichess, or any other organization, and they must not be used for official pairings, titles, or norms.
Do not use the App’s computer, analysis, or Ghost of Yesterday to cheat in rated games on other platforms.
You agree not to misuse the App, interfere with its operation, attempt unauthorized access, or use it in violation of law.
THE APP IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. Computer strength is approximate. We do not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, accurate, or error-free. You use it knowing it is an independent project that may contain defects.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALDERCOT AND ITS OWNERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE APP. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE APP THROUGH APPLE IN THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM, OR TEN U.S. DOLLARS (US$10), WHICHEVER IS GREATER. Some places do not allow certain limits; there, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted.
The App is intended for a general audience. If you are under 13, use it only with a parent or guardian. Purchases require an Apple ID and follow Apple’s age and Family Sharing rules.
We may update these Terms. The “Last updated” date will change. Continued use after an update constitutes acceptance. Material changes may be presented in the App.
We may suspend use if you breach these Terms. You may stop using the App at any time by deleting it. Apple’s rules continue to govern purchases.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, United States, excluding conflict-of-law rules, except that Apple’s EULA and App Store terms also apply and control disputes arising from the App Store relationship with Apple.
Questions about these Terms: use Report a bug on the About tab, or the support contact listed on the App Store product page.
These Terms, together with Apple’s Licensed Application End User License Agreement and applicable App Store terms, are the entire agreement between you and Aldercot regarding the App.
You can read these Terms anytime on the About tab.