Appealing a Decision

If your account has been closed, muted, or restricted and you believe the
decision was wrong, the appeal page is the way to say so. It is read
by moderators who can reverse it.

How to write one

Be specific and be brief. What was restricted, and why you think that was a
mistake. A long message is not a stronger one.

Answer the obvious questions before they are asked. What device and browser
you play on. Whether anyone else has ever had access to your account. Whether you
have had other accounts here. Whether you were streaming or analysing in another
tab.

Explain what looks odd. If you play in a way that reads strangely from
outside — long thinks on simple moves, a repertoire far above your rating,
returning after years away — say so up front.

What does not work

• Opening another account to appeal. That is a separate breach and makes the
  original decision harder to reverse
• Messaging moderators directly, or posting about it in the forum
• Sending the same appeal repeatedly. It is already in the queue
• Anger. It has no effect on the outcome and takes up the space your explanation
  needed

If you did break the rules

Say so plainly. An admission does not reopen a closed account, but it is what
makes a fresh start possible later. A denial that the game record contradicts
removes that option.

What to expect

Appeals are handled by people, not scripts, so they take time. You get one
answer. If it goes against you, sending it again will not change it.

See also Fair Play and the
Terms of Service.