Privacy Policy — Chess Coach
Last updated: 2026-10-10
Chess Coach is designed to be private by default. This policy explains exactly what the app does, and does not do, with your information.
Summary
- We collect nothing. No personal data, no analytics, no telemetry, no crash reports, no advertising identifiers.
- Everything stays on your device. Games, statistics, settings, profiles and coach interactions are stored locally. They leave the device only through the optional Apple-provided features described below.
- No accounts, no ads, no tracking. The optional Chess Coach Plus subscription or lifetime purchase is processed entirely by Apple. We never see your payment details, Apple Account or purchase history; the app only asks Apple's StoreKit on your device whether Plus is active.
- We run no server of our own.
Data stored on your device
- Game history, puzzle progress, lessons and kingdom progress
- Your preferences (language, appearance, piece set, board colors)
- Onboarding answers used to personalize difficulty
- Statistics (ratings, streaks, badges, journal entries) and your chess zodiac pick
- Player profiles: you can keep several profiles on one device. Each has its own local progress, badges and journal. Adding, renaming or deleting a profile is protected by a parental gate. Profile names and optional avatar photos never leave the device.
You can delete all of it at any time by deleting the app.
On-device processing
- The chess engine runs entirely on-device.
- Coach explanations and the "Ask the Resident" chat are generated on-device, via Apple's Foundation Models framework when available, or built-in templates otherwise. No text or position data is sent to any server.
- Camera board scan: the camera is used only when you open the scan feature. Images are analysed on-device in memory, are never uploaded, never stored and never added to your photo library, and are discarded when you leave the flow.
Widgets, Siri and Shortcuts
- Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets show your streak and daily plan. The app writes a small snapshot to an App Group container shared only between the app, its widget extension and its App Clip on your device. It is not transmitted anywhere.
- Siri, Shortcuts and Spotlight shortcuts (open the daily puzzle, continue the lesson, play the computer) are handled on-device by Apple's App Intents framework. The app receives no voice or search data.
Optional online play (Game Center)
Online multiplayer uses Apple Game Center only (turn-based and real-time). Apple provides your Game Center player ID and display name so matches can be created; the app stores no account of its own. Only chess moves and minimal game state travel inside GameKit. The app adds no chat and no free-text fields. Every other feature works signed out, and Screen Time multiplayer restrictions are respected.
Optional co-play over FaceTime (SharePlay)
SharePlay uses Apple's Group Activities framework during a FaceTime call. Chess moves and minimal board state are sent between participants by Apple's infrastructure. We operate no server, receive nothing, and the app adds no chat; participants talk over the call itself.
Optional two-device play (local network)
Two devices on the same Wi-Fi network can play together using Apple's Network framework with Bonjour (_chesscoach._tcp). Only chess moves and minimal game state are exchanged on the local network; nothing goes to an external server.
App Clip
The App Clip plays one sample lesson. It has no accounts and no network use of its own, and stores only its own local lesson progress on your device.
Notifications
If you turn on streak reminders, the app schedules local notifications on your device (permission is requested first). There are no push servers.
Sharing
The postcard feature renders an image on-device and opens the standard iOS Share Sheet only when you tap share, behind a parental gate. The app never uploads it.
Permissions
| Permission | Why |
|---|---|
| Camera | Optional board scan (on-device analysis only) |
| Local network | Optional two-device play only |
| Notifications | Optional local streak reminders |
The app requests no other permissions (no location, contacts, microphone, tracking).
Third parties
No third-party analytics, advertising or tracking SDKs. Third-party artwork (chess piece sets) is bundled locally under permissive licenses; see Settings → About → Licenses.
Children's privacy
The app is rated 4+, collects no personal data from anyone, and has no chat or user-generated content. Parent Corner, profile management, sharing and purchases are behind a parental gate.
Changes
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted at the same URL and the "last updated" date revised.
Contact
For questions about this policy, email support@chesscoachkingdom.com.