Change your username in account settings

To change your Chess.com username, log into your account, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and select "Settings". On the Settings page, find the "Username" field under the Account tab. Click the pencil icon next to your current username to edit it. Type your new username, then click "Save Changes". Chess.com will confirm the change when ready, and your new username takes effect right away.

Your new username appears on your profile, in games, and in the Chess.com community within seconds. Other players will see the updated name the next time they view your profile or play against you. Any games you played under your old username stay linked to your account — the history does not separate or reset.

Before you save, Chess.com checks whether the username is already taken. If it is, the system tells you and you must choose a different one. Usernames can be 3 to 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, but no spaces or special characters like @, #, or $.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in to Chess.com, click your profile icon, select Settings, and find the Username field under the Account tab to change your name.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready across your profile, all your games, and the Chess.com community.
  • Chess.com checks in real time whether your chosen username is already taken and will not let you save a duplicate.
  • Your game history and rating stay attached to your account under the new username — nothing is lost or reset.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 20 characters and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, but not spaces or symbols like @, #, or $.

What happens to your rating and game history

Your rating, game record, and all past games remain tied to your account after you change your username. When someone looks at your profile or searches for your old username, they will not find it — but your account itself does not split or duplicate. You have one account with one rating, and the username is just the display name on top of it.

If you played in tournaments or matches under your old username, those results stay in your record under your new name. Your opponent list, friends list, and followers all stay the same. The only thing that changes is what people see when they look at you in the community or in a game.

Limits on how often you can change your username

Chess.com does not publicly state a hard limit on how often you can change your username, but the platform discourages frequent changes. If you change your username many times in a short period, Chess.com may temporarily prevent further changes or flag your account for review. The intent is to stop players from using rapid name changes to evade moderation or confuse opponents.

In practice, changing your username once or twice a year causes no problems. If you change it multiple times in a week or month, you may encounter a waiting period before the next change is allowed. If you are unsure whether your account has hit a limit, contact Chess.com support through the Help Center.

Usernames you cannot use

Chess.com blocks usernames that impersonate staff members, famous players, or the Chess.com brand itself. You cannot use a name that is already taken, even if the account is inactive. You also cannot use usernames that contain slurs, hate speech, or explicit language — the system rejects these before you can save.

If you try to create a username that Chess.com considers offensive or a duplicate of a protected name, the Settings page will show an error message explaining why the name was rejected. You will need to choose a different one and try again.

Changing your username on the Chess.com mobile app

The process on the Chess.com mobile app (iOS and Android) is nearly identical to the website. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap your username or profile picture. Select "Settings", then tap "Account". Find the Username field and tap the pencil icon to edit it. Type your new username and tap "Save" or "Confirm".

The change syncs across all your devices within seconds. If you are logged into Chess.com on your phone and computer at the same time, you may need to refresh the page on your computer to see the new username, but the account itself updates when ready.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the username you want is already in use, Chess.com will not let you save it. You have three options: choose a variation (add a number, underscore, or letter), wait to see if the account becomes available, or pick a different name altogether.

Accounts that are inactive for years sometimes get deleted by Chess.com, which frees up their usernames, but there is no way to request this or know when it will happen. If you see a username you want that belongs to an inactive account, your best option is to choose a similar name now — for example, adding your birth year or a number at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your username to any available name, including a previous one. If no one else has claimed your old username, you can switch back to it at any time through Settings. If someone else has taken it, you will need to choose a different name.

Do my friends and followers see my old username after I change it?

No. Your friends and followers see your new username when ready. Their friend lists and follower lists update automatically, and they will not see your old name anywhere on the site unless they look at an archived game or screenshot from before the change.

Will changing my username affect my rating or ranking?

No. Your rating, ranking, and all statistics stay exactly the same. The username is only a label — your account, your Elo rating, and your game history are completely separate from the name you display.

What if I cannot find the Username field in Settings?

Make sure you are logged in and on the Account tab of Settings, not the Preferences or Privacy tabs. If the Username field still does not appear, try logging out and back in, or clear your browser cache. If the problem continues, contact Chess.com support through the Help Center.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Chess.com only allows letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), underscores (_), and hyphens (-). Spaces, periods, @, #, $, and other symbols are not permitted. If you try to use them, the system will reject the username and ask you to choose a different one.