Checkmate patternsPrivacy policy
This policy explains what personal data Checkmate Patterns (https://www.checkmate-patterns.com) processes when you use the site, why, and what your rights are. It is written to meet the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, in Dutch: AVG) and the Dutch Telecommunications Act (Telecommunicatiewet).
In short
- You don’t need an account and we never ask for your name, email or any other details.
- Your puzzle progress is stored only in your own browser and is never sent to us.
- We use analytics to see how many people visit and which pages they use. Google Analytics only runs if you agree to it.
- We don’t sell your data, show ads, or build profiles of you.
Who is responsible for your data
The data controller is FcoG, who runs this site as a private, non-commercial project. You can reach us at fcog111@gmail.com.
What data we process and why
Progress stored on your device
The list of puzzles you have solved is saved in your browser’s local storage (under the key checkmate-patterns:solved) so you keep your progress between visits. This data stays on your device and is never sent to us or anyone else. Because it is strictly necessary for a feature you use, no consent is required. You can delete it at any time by clearing your browser’s site data for https://www.checkmate-patterns.com.
Hosting and server logs
The site is hosted by Vercel Inc. When you visit, Vercel’s servers automatically process technical data needed to deliver the pages, such as your IP address, browser type, the page requested and the time of the request. This is necessary to run the site and keep it secure. Legal basis: our legitimate interest in providing a working and secure website (GDPR article 6(1)(f)). Vercel keeps these logs only for a short period.
Vercel Web Analytics
We use Vercel Web Analytics to count visits and see which pages are popular. It does not use cookies and does not store anything on your device. Visitors are counted using a hash of the request that is discarded after 24 hours, so we cannot identify you or follow you across sites or days. We only see aggregated numbers. Legal basis: our legitimate interest in understanding how the site is used so we can improve it (GDPR article 6(1)(f)).
Google Analytics
With your consent, we use Google Analytics 4, provided by Google Ireland Limited, to understand in more detail how visitors use the site. Google Analytics places cookies (see below) and collects data such as the pages you visit, how long you stay, your device and browser type, and your approximate location (country or city, derived from your IP address). Google Analytics 4 does not store full IP addresses. We have turned off data sharing with Google for its own purposes and do not use Google Analytics for advertising.
Legal basis: your consent (GDPR article 6(1)(a)). You can withdraw your consent at any time; this doesn’t affect processing that took place before you withdrew it. Google may process data in the United States; such transfers are covered by the EU–US Data Privacy Framework, under which Google is certified. See Google’s privacy policy.
Cookies
We only use cookies for Google Analytics, and only after you agree.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes visitors | 2 years | |
_ga_* | Keeps track of the current visit | 2 years |
How long we keep data
- Progress in your browser: until you clear it.
- Server logs: a short period, as set by our hosting provider.
- Vercel Web Analytics: only aggregated, anonymous statistics are kept.
- Google Analytics: event data is deleted automatically after at most 14 months.
Who we share data with
Only with the service providers named above (Vercel and Google), who process data on our behalf to host the site and provide statistics. We don’t sell or rent personal data, and we don’t share it with anyone else unless the law requires us to.
Children
The site is suitable for chess players of all ages. We don’t knowingly collect personal data from children. Children under 16 should only agree to analytics cookies with permission from a parent or guardian.
Your rights
Under the GDPR you have the right to:
- access the personal data we hold about you;
- have incorrect data corrected;
- have your data deleted;
- restrict or object to processing;
- receive your data in a portable format;
- withdraw your consent at any time.
Because we don’t ask for your name or contact details, we usually cannot link data to you. To exercise your rights, email fcog111@gmail.com and we will respond within one month. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) or the data protection authority in your own country.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy, for example when we add or change a service. The date at the top shows when it was last changed. Significant changes will be announced on the site.