Frequently Asked Questions
General
Section titled “General”What is Roquer?
Section titled “What is Roquer?”Roquer is a mobile app that turns real-world chess into a competitive experience. Find chess spots, use the built-in clock, log your games, and climb local leaderboards.
Is Roquer free?
Section titled “Is Roquer free?”Yes. Roquer is free for all players. Always.
Do I need an account to use the clock?
Section titled “Do I need an account to use the clock?”No. The chess clock works without any account or internet connection. You only need to sign up when you want to log games and appear on leaderboards.
Where is Roquer available?
Section titled “Where is Roquer available?”Roquer is launching in the Netherlands with 285+ pre-mapped chess spots. The app works anywhere in the world, but pre-loaded spots are currently Dutch only.
Can I use Roquer for online chess?
Section titled “Can I use Roquer for online chess?”No. Roquer is for real-world, over-the-board chess only. For online chess, we recommend Lichess or Chess.com.
The Clock
Section titled “The Clock”Why does the screen split in half?
Section titled “Why does the screen split in half?”So both players can see their own time without turning the phone around. Place the phone flat on the table — white reads the bottom, black reads the top.
Does the clock use a lot of battery?
Section titled “Does the clock use a lot of battery?”No. A 10-minute blitz game uses less than 5% battery. The black background saves power on OLED screens.
Can I customize time controls?
Section titled “Can I customize time controls?”Yes. Roquer supports all standard time controls (bullet, blitz, rapid, classical) and lets you create custom ones with any combination of minutes and increment.
Games & Claims
Section titled “Games & Claims”What’s a claim code?
Section titled “What’s a claim code?”A 6-digit code shown after every game. Your opponent enters it in their app to get credit for the game. Both players then appear on the leaderboard.
What if my opponent doesn’t have the app?
Section titled “What if my opponent doesn’t have the app?”You can share a link (via WhatsApp, text, etc.) or show them the QR code. When they download Roquer and sign up, the game is automatically attributed.
How long is a claim code valid?
Section titled “How long is a claim code valid?”7 days. After that, the game still counts for you, but the opponent is recorded as “Anonymous.”
What’s “Log Game”?
Section titled “What’s “Log Game”?”An alternative to the digital clock. If you used a physical clock or played untimed, tap “Log Game” to record the result manually.
Ratings & Leaderboards
Section titled “Ratings & Leaderboards”What rating system does Roquer use?
Section titled “What rating system does Roquer use?”ELO — the same system used by FIDE and most chess organizations. New players start at 1200.
What’s the difference between GRR and VR?
Section titled “What’s the difference between GRR and VR?”GRR (Global Roquer Rating) reflects your overall strength. VR (Venue Rating) is your rating at a specific spot. You have one GRR but a separate VR at every spot you play.
Can I lose rating points for a draw?
Section titled “Can I lose rating points for a draw?”Yes, if your opponent is rated significantly lower than you. The ELO system adjusts expectations based on the rating difference.
Do unrated games affect my rating?
Section titled “Do unrated games affect my rating?”No. Games marked as “unrated” count for spot activity and XP but don’t change your GRR or VR.
ChessGrid
Section titled “ChessGrid”How are chess spots added?
Section titled “How are chess spots added?”Spots come from three sources: verified public chess table databases, open data (OpenStreetMap), and user submissions.
Can I add a new spot?
Section titled “Can I add a new spot?”Yes. Long-press on the map, enter a name and type, and submit. You need a Roquer account to add spots.
I found incorrect spot information. How do I report it?
Section titled “I found incorrect spot information. How do I report it?”Contact us at hello@roquer.app with the spot name and what needs correcting.
Account & Privacy
Section titled “Account & Privacy”What data does Roquer collect?
Section titled “What data does Roquer collect?”Roquer checks your GPS location once when you log a game (to find the nearest chess spot). Location is not tracked during play or at any other time. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Can I delete my account?
Section titled “Can I delete my account?”Yes. Contact us at hello@roquer.app and we’ll delete your account and all associated data.
Can I play without anyone knowing?
Section titled “Can I play without anyone knowing?”Currently, your username is visible on leaderboards. Incognito mode is planned for a future update.