Everything you'd want to know before installing.

What do I need to run ChessMend?

Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) and a chess.com or lichess.org account to import games from. The installer bundles everything else — the Stockfish chess engine, the piece artwork, and the .NET runtime — so there's nothing extra to download or configure.

Why does Windows warn me when I open the installer?

Windows SmartScreen shows a blue "Windows protected your PC" notice for software from a publisher it hasn't seen very often yet. It's a reputation prompt, not a virus warning. Click More info, then Run anyway to continue.

This is normal for newly released independent software and the warning fades as more people install ChessMend. If you'd like independent confirmation before you click through, the installer scans clean on VirusTotal — feel free to check it yourself.

Does it work offline?

Analysis, puzzles, review and bot play all run offline once your games are imported. You only need an internet connection to import new games from chess.com or lichess, to activate or renew a licence, and to check for updates.

Do my games get uploaded anywhere?

No. ChessMend imports your games and analyses them with a chess engine running on your own computer. Your games and their analysis are stored locally on your PC — they are not uploaded to a ChessMend server for us to look at.

The only information that reaches our server is what's needed to run the business: your email and licence/activation details when you buy or activate. See the privacy policy for the full picture.

How does Opening Coach decide what the "opponent" plays?

Each repertoire is a small tree of moves rather than one fixed line. At every branch point the coach picks between the opponent's important tries with a realistic weighting, similar to a real opening book, rather than always following the same script — so you learn the right reply to whichever try actually shows up.

What happens once I run out of prepared theory?

Every hand-built repertoire runs to around move 8-9. Past that point, Stockfish takes over both sides at full search strength and the board switches to a distinct teal-green so the shift is obvious. Hint and Play-it-for-me keep working — they just ask the engine for its top move instead of consulting the (by then empty) repertoire tree.

How does Opening Stats decide my best and worst opening?

It groups your finished games by opening family and by which color you played, then scores each group with standard chess scoring (a draw counts half a point). An opening only gets picked out as your single best or worst "Focus" opening once you've actually played it enough times for the number to mean something — a one-game sample is shown for reference but never picked as the headline result.

How does importing from chess.com work?

chess.com restricts automated downloading, so ChessMend routes imports through your own browser session rather than scraping. You pick a month, it opens on chess.com, and the app detects the saved file. It's a little slower than a raw API pull, but it keeps every import within chess.com's terms of use.

And from lichess?

Lichess is imported month by month directly, with checkpointing so a large history can be pulled in chunks and resumed if interrupted.

Is ChessMend connected to chess.com or lichess?

No. ChessMend is an independent tool and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with either site. They're simply where your games live.

How does the free trial work?

The trial is the complete app — every feature unlocked — for 14 days, with no card required. When it ends you can buy a licence to keep going, or continue with the limited free Lite mode.

What's the difference between the paid plans?

Only how long the licence lasts. Annual and Founder's Lifetime both unlock the entire app. Annual renews yearly; the Founder's Lifetime is a one-time purchase you keep forever, including future updates.

How many computers can I use one licence on?

A personal licence activates ChessMend on your own computer. If you need it on several machines — for a club or a coaching group — the Coach / multi-seat option covers multiple activations. Full terms are in the licence agreement.

Do I keep getting updates?

Yes — updates are included for as long as your licence is active, and forever with the Founder's Lifetime. New releases are listed on the What's new page.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. Every paid plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, and your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply regardless of that window. Just email us. See the refund policy for how to request one.