Terms and Conditions
Trainstein Pty Ltd (ABN 58 670 549 201) (“Trainstein”, “Trainstein Chess College” and also “us”, “we” and “our”) offers a variety of chess-related services, such as coaching, lessons, workshops, tournaments, holiday camps and parties, designed specifically for school-aged children (“services”). Chess-related products and news can also be found through our website https://www.trainsteinchess.com/ (“websites”).
By engaging with our services or accessing our websites, users agree to adhere to our Terms of Service, which are subject to updates. We encourage regular review of these terms to stay informed about any changes. For detailed participation in our physical and virtual offerings, please review our Terms and Conditions thoroughly to ensure a clear understanding and agreement. By making any payments, you accept these terms and agree to be legally bound by the following terms.
1. Payment of Fees
1.1 Our Website allows you to enrol in our Services and purchase goods. You agree to pay for the goods and Services in accordance with the prices set out on this Website or as otherwise advised by us. All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are inclusive of GST. We reserve the right to amend our prices at any time. If you have placed an order, we undertake to fulfil your order at the price listed at the time you ordered.
1.2 Payment of the fees in full is required at the time of online enrolment to secure your place and booking. We accept Visa and Mastercard card as online payment method. When making a payment via this Website, you will be asked to provide some personal information, including:
(i) Student’s name, date of birth;
(ii) Parent’s name, phone numbers, email address, postal address (if shipping is required); and
(iii) Credit/debit card information.
This information is required to match your child’s enrolment to their payment, and also by our Bank to process your credit card. When the payment has been approved, you will be sent a receipt by email. Trainstein Chess College stores this personal information (excluding credit card details) on our secure database, for the purposes of keeping accurate records of enrolments and payments.
1.3 No free trial lessons are offered unless there is a special promotion directly from Trainstein Chess College, offering a free trial lesson, which involves submitting an electronic form to register your child in advance. Otherwise, any one-off lessons or trial classes must be paid beforehand. However, for school term courses, if you or your child is a new student and you enrol and immediately pay the remaining fees (at least two more weeks) for the rest of the term, or if your trial lesson is one of the last two of the term and you pay the full amount for the next term within 15 minutes after your trial class, your trial class can be credited immediately.
1.4 If you do not wish to enrol via the Website, you can enrol in person at our office. We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard or AMEX card, EFTPOS, and online direct deposits into our bank account. Fees are inclusive of GST and receipts will be provided on receipt of payment.
2. Cancellations and refunds
2.1 No Refund
Fees once paid are strictly non-refundable for all the school term courses, holiday programs, tournaments and private lessons except in the cases of a prolonged illness or physical disability that prevents you from participating in the activities of the class, tournament, holiday program or private lesson.
You are not entitled to a refund if:
i. you or your child are no longer able to attend the lesson, tournament or holiday program;
ii. you or your child did not enjoy the lesson, tournament or holiday program;
iii. you or your child found the lesson, tournament or holiday program is not right for you;
iv. you or your child missed some of classes, tournaments or holiday programs;
v. your refund rationale is not considered sufficiently justified in a business context.
2.2 Term Course
The following policy relates to both in-person and online school term classes.
2.2.1 Missed Class
We offer make-up lesson options and/or substitution options for missed classes during the school term.
If you or your child have missed a class, we can offer either in-person or online make-up lessons within the same term and if the missed class occurs during the last two weeks of the term, the make-up lessons can be carried over to the next term. You must notify us in writing at least 24 hours prior to the class of your reasons for missing the class and that you wish to be provided a makeup lesson.
You may also have the option to transfer your enrolment to someone else if you or your child can no longer attend the class or workshop. The transferred classes are required to be attended within the same term. Please provide us with notice in writing at least 48 hours prior to the class or workshop that you are unable to attend and provide the details of the substitute student.
No refund or credit will be given for missed lessons during the school term.
2.3 School Holiday Program
The following policy relates to school holiday camps, workshops and programs.
2.3.1 Cancellations
Your booking fee may be forfeited or partially forfeited depending on when you cancel the school holiday camps, workshops or programs.
i. Cancellations up to five working days before the commencement of your holiday program
Cancellations advised by phone, text or email at least five working days before the commencement of our school holiday program will not result in any forfeit or partially forfeit for your booking fees. However, any paid fees are non-refundable but will be held in credit which must be used within six months from the date of cancellation.
ii. Cancellations up to 72 hours before the commencement of your holiday program
Cancellations advised by phone, text or email at least 72 hours before the commencement of our school holiday program will result in 10% forfeit for your booking fees. The remaining amounts will be held in credit which must be used within six months from the date of cancellation.
You have the option to let a friend or sibling take your place in a class you've booked with no exact cost. Please inform us of any substitutions before the holiday program commences.
iii. Cancellations up to 48 hours before the commencement of your holiday program
Cancellations advised by phone, text or email at least 48 hours before the commencement of our school holiday program will result in 50% forfeit for your booking fees. The remaining amounts will be held in credit which must be used within six months from the date of cancellation.
You have the option to let a friend or sibling take your place in a class you've booked with no exact cost. Please inform us of any substitutions before the holiday program commences.
iv. Cancellations within 48 hours before the commencement of your holiday program
Cancellations advised by phone, text or email within 48 hours before the commencement of our school holiday program will result in 100% forfeit for your booking fees. You will not receive any credit if you cancel a workshop within 48 hours before the commencement of the workshop.
You have the option to let a friend or sibling take your place in a class you've booked with no exact cost. Please inform us of any substitutions before the holiday program commences.
2.4 Tournament
The following policy relates to chess tournaments hosted by Trainstein Chess College.
No refund or credits will be given for any missed tournament or cancellation. However, if you inform us by phone, text or email up to 72 hours before the commencement of your tournament, you can transfer your booked tournament to a different tournament within the same term. If your booked tournament is the last two tournaments of the term, the make-up tournament can be carried over to the next term.
You have the option to let a friend or sibling take your place in a tournament you've booked with no exact cost. Please inform us of any substitutions before the tournament commences.
2.5 Private Lesson
The following policy relates to our private lesson.
No refund or credits will be given for any missed lesson or cancellation. However, if you inform us by phone, text or email up to 48 hours before the commencement of your private lesson, we could provide you with up to two make-up lessons with the same coach at an agreed time within the same term or during the school holiday.
You have the option to let a friend or sibling take your place for the private lesson you've booked with no exact cost. Please inform us of any substitutions before the next private class commences.
3. Student Conduct
3.1 Trainstein Chess College is a shared and collaborative space and we expect students to follow the instructions and respect everyone, contributing to a positive, healthy, and non-disruptive learning environment.
3.2 Any form of disruption, excessive noise, bullying, harassment and vulgar, inappropriate, discriminatory, or profane language are not tolerated at Trainstein Chess College. We reserve the right to conduct an investigation into any of the complaints and can remove, suspend or expel the students who exhibit the above behavours.
3.3 During the investigation of complaints, you or your child may be temporarily suspended from our lessons, holiday programs, and tournaments. Depending on the severity of the inappropriate behaviors, you may fully or partially forfeit your booking fees.
3.4 You must be punctual for all booked classes and workshops. Students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to and from Trainstein Chess College, sign in upon arrival, and be promptly picked up at the end of each session.
3.5 Please note that it is important to acknowledge that maintaining the safety, cleanliness, and orderliness of classrooms and shared spaces is a collective duty.
4. Provision of Services
4.1 Classes, Workshops and Holiday Programs
4.1.1 Upon their arrival, it is the chess coach's responsibility to set up the classroom and supervise any attending children. We kindly ask parents not to expect the coach to leave the premises for the purpose of escorting their child to the class.
4.1.2 Parents are not permitted to sit in the classroom while classes are in progress. The reasoning for this is to prevent potential distractions or discomfort for the children, allowing them to fully engage with the lesson. Other reasons include insurance requirements and compliance with regulations that mandate a Working With Children Check for every adult in our class environment. This is a firm policy at Trainstein, aimed at maintaining a secure and focused educational setting. However, you are welcome to stay in the waiting area outside the classroom. Rest assured, should any issue arise, parents will be the first to be informed.
4.2 Tournaments
4.2.1 The tournament will be played in a 'Swiss' or ‘Round Robin’ format, with 5-8 rounds, depending on how many players in the tournament or division and the time available. In a Swiss tournament, all players will play every round, and will be paired against others on the same score wherever possible, or a similar score. For a Round Robin tournament, players will play every round, and will be paired against every other player once. Players score 1 point for a win, 1/2 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The winner of the tournament is the player with the highest overall score.
4.2.2 The ‘touch move touch take’ rule will be applied in all tournaments. A player must move the first piece that he/she touches, if it is legal to move that piece. If a player touches an opponent's piece, that piece must be captured if it is legal to do so. The only exception for this rule is to say ‘adjust’ or ‘adjusting’ before touching the piece and then you can adjust the piece properly and move a different chess piece.
4.2.3 No take back. If a player makes a legal move with a piece and lets go of that piece, the move cannot be taken back.
4.2.4 When a player's king is in danger, this is called 'check'. That player must escape check immediately by either running away with the king to a safe square, blocking the check, or capturing the opponent's attacking piece. If there is no way to escape from check, then that player is in 'checkmate' and the game is over.
4.2.5 A game is not won by taking the opponent's king. If a player makes an illegal move (a move against the rules of chess), then that move needs to be taken back, and a legal move played instead. However, if you or your child makes three illegal moves in a single game, you will lose the game immediately.
4.2.6 Spectators and players need to switch their mobile phones to silent throughout the duration of the tournament. Spectators causing disruptions may be asked to exit the hall. Parents and spectators should stay outside the designated playing area, reserved for players and officials. Observing players should maintain a distance of at least one meter from the games. No player is allowed to give advice to another player, while their game is in progress, including calling check, checkmate, and time (flagfall). This is considered cheating and penalties may apply (such as taking points from a player's total score).
4.2.7 No talking while playing. The playing hall must remain quiet and if a player has a question or a problem at any time, they should raise their hand, and an arbiter will come over to help out. Failure to achieve quietness may result in penalties (such as taking points from a player's total score) or even disqualification from the tournament.
4.2.8 If players agree upon a result and shake hands, the result must stand and cannot be reversed. This means that it is the player's responsibility to carefully make sure that a position is actually checkmate, if checkmate is announced by the opponent. When a game is finished, the players should shake hands, set up the board correctly for the next round and report the results.
4.2.9 Any decision made by the arbiter will be final.
4.2.10 Top half of the finishers will be published on our website, this includes the child’s first name, last name, age, rating, result and tie break. Full tournament results will be recorded and posted on the website https://chessratings.com.au/, which permits a rating to be provided to each child.
5. Agreement to Being Photographed
5.1 You acknowledge that by participating, you consent to being photographed or filed for Trainstein Chess College’s marketing and promotional use, including advertisement, brochures, social media and website. These photos and videos will not be sold to any third parties and will be used exclusively by and for Trainstein.
5.2 By enrolling in any classes, tournaments, workshops, holiday programs and events, you authorise, consent and grant Trainstein Chess College the right to
i. Take photos and videos from you or your child during classes, tournaments, workshops, holiday programs and events;
ii. Edit the photo and video at Trainstein’s discretion;
iii. Publish the photo and video on our website and promotional materials;
and agree
iv. that you will not receive any remuneration from us
v. to release Trainstein Chess College from any infringement or violation of personal and/or property rights.
5.3 Should you prefer not to have your photos or videos taken during our activities, kindly inform us in writing before your enrollment or the start of any class, workshop, tournament, holiday camp or event. This ensures your preferences are respected and adhered to.
6. Food and Safety
6.1 Please be noted that you or your child could bring some snacks and food to our chess learning center. However, all the food and snacks have to be finished by yourself and must not be shared to anyone else due to medical and allergic concerns. You and your child are responsible for any consequences that occurred by sharing the food or snacks.
6.2 Students with any existing medical conditions, allergy or disability must notify the staff of Trainstein Chess College on enrolment, and it is your sole responsibility to notify us if you require us to accommodate you or your child’s circumstances during any service provided by us.
6.3 You agree to pay and/or reimburse Trainstein Chess College for any expenses that we incur as a result of providing medical assistance to you and your children.
6.4 There will be no refunds or credits for food-related issues, such as food poisoning, from meals brought by students or their guardians, unless the food is provided by Trainstein.
7. Liability and Indemnity
7.1 By agreeing, you commit to protecting Trainstein Chess College from any financial responsibilities arising from any damages, injuries, or losses caused by yourself, your children, or your employees. You will also be responsible for covering any related claims, damages, and costs incurred by Trainstein. This ensures that any expenses resulting from such incidents will be reimbursed by you.
7.2 To the extent permitted by law, Trainstein Chess College excludes all liability for any loss or damage (actual, special, direct, indirect and consequential) in any kind and whatsoever nature arising out of or in any way connected to our services and our premises.
8. Termination
Trainstein Chess College reserves the right to cancel a child’s enrolment in any of the services due to any of the following:
i. Continual poor behaviour;
ii. Non-payment of fees; or
iii. If the Terms of Service are breached.
9. Privacy
9.1 When you sign up for classes, tournaments, or any other services at Trainstein Chess College, we collect and store your personal details in our secure database. This information is used solely to handle your queries, manage your sign-ups, booking and enrolment and for our promotional material. If you prefer not to receive our promotional emails, please notify us that you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list.
9.2 All information that you provide to Trainstein Chess College may be disclosed to our employees, contractors and our website provider, other than the aforementioned, we will not disclose your information to any other person without your express consent, except where required by law. We do not retain any debit or credit card information that you provide.
10. Acknowledgment of Terms and Appreciation
We thank all our students and parents for their patience, understanding and support and all the chess coaches and staff who contribute time, investments and commitments towards the growth of Trainstein Chess College.