How Stakes Work

PVPChess uses fixed USD stake tiers: $5, $10, $15, $20, $25, $50, $75, and $100. Free accounts may play $5 and $10 games; higher tiers and custom stakes require Premium. You choose a tier before joining matchmaking or creating a challenge link.

Stakes are taken from your USD credit balance. Both players must stake the same tier.

When a staked game begins, each player's stake is reserved from their USD credit balance and held until the game settles. Funds are not released until the result is confirmed and review completes.

The total pot is both players' stakes combined. PVPChess takes a 5% platform fee from the pot. The winner receives 95% of the pot as USD credits.

On a draw, the remaining 95% is split equally between both players after the fee is deducted.

Find Match pairs you with a player near your ELO at the selected stake. Challenge links let you invite a friend to the same tier without waiting in queue.

You can only participate in one active staked game or post-game review at a time.

If you lose by checkmate, resignation, or timeout, your stake goes to your opponent minus the platform fee. Abandoning or disconnecting from a staked game follows standard forfeit rules.