Cookie Policy

Last updated: 30 July 2026

This Cookie Policy explains how vardaris.com, the official website of the Vardaris International Chess Tournament, uses cookies and similar technologies.

It should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use and protect personal data.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer, mobile device or other equipment when you visit a website.

Cookies allow a website to remember certain information, such as your preferences, cookie choices or browsing session. They may also be used to understand how visitors use the website or to enable content provided by third-party services.

Cookies may be:

• First-party cookies, placed directly by vardaris.com.
• Third-party cookies, placed by external services whose content or functions are included on the website.
• Session cookies, which are deleted when the browser is closed.
• Persistent cookies, which remain on the device for a specified period or until they are deleted.

2. How We Use Cookies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• ensure the secure and proper operation of the website,
• remember visitors’ cookie preferences,
• maintain website and form functionality,
• measure website traffic and performance,
• understand how visitors use the website,
• display embedded videos, maps or other third-party content,
• support links or functions connected with social media platforms.

Cookies that are strictly necessary for the operation of the website may be used without prior consent.

All optional cookies, including analytics, advertising and third-party media cookies, will be activated only after the visitor has provided the relevant consent through the cookie banner.

3. Categories of Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to operate correctly and securely.

They may be used to:

• maintain website security,
• support forms and basic website functions,
• prevent misuse or malicious activity,
• remember the visitor’s cookie preferences.

These cookies cannot normally be disabled through the website because the site may not function properly without them.

They do not require the visitor’s consent.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow the website to provide additional features or remember choices made by visitors.

They may be used for functions such as:

• remembering language or display preferences,
• enabling embedded content,
• maintaining optional website settings.

Where these cookies are not strictly necessary, they will be activated only after consent has been provided.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the website.

They may collect information such as:

• the pages visited,
• the approximate duration of a visit,
• the type of device and browser used,
• general website traffic and performance information,
• how visitors reached the website.

This information may be used to improve the structure, content and performance of vardaris.com.

Analytics cookies will be activated only after the visitor has provided consent.

Third-Party Media Cookies

The website may include content supplied by third parties, such as:

• YouTube videos,
• live chess broadcasts,
• interactive maps,
• social media content,
• external tournament or results platforms.

These providers may place cookies or collect technical information when their content is loaded.

Where technically possible, third-party content that uses optional cookies will remain blocked until the visitor has provided consent.

Advertising and Marketing Cookies

If advertising or remarketing services are used in the future, these cookies may be used to measure advertising campaigns or display content based on visitors’ interests.

Such cookies will not be activated without prior consent.

At present, vardaris.com does not intend to use personalised advertising cookies unless this Cookie Policy and the relevant cookie settings are updated accordingly.

4. Cookies Used on This Website

The final list of cookies will include:

• the name of each cookie,
• its provider,
• its purpose,
• its category,
• its duration,
• whether it is a first-party or third-party cookie.

The table below will be completed following the final technical cookie scan of the live website.

This table will be updated before the new website becomes publicly available on the main vardaris.com domain.

5. Cookie Consent

When visitors first access the website, they will be shown a cookie banner.

The banner will allow them to:

• accept all optional cookies,
• reject all optional cookies,
• select individual cookie categories,
• continue using the website with strictly necessary cookies only.

Optional cookies will remain disabled unless the visitor makes an active choice to accept them.

Rejecting optional cookies will not prevent access to the main content of the website. However, certain optional features, such as embedded videos or maps, may not function until the relevant cookies have been accepted.

6. Changing or Withdrawing Consent

Visitors may change or withdraw their cookie consent at any time by selecting the Cookie Settings option available on the website.

Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing that took place before consent was withdrawn.

After consent is withdrawn, the relevant optional cookies will no longer be activated. Cookies already stored on the visitor’s device may need to be deleted through the browser settings.

7. Managing Cookies Through Your Browser

Most web browsers allow users to:

• view stored cookies,
• delete individual or all cookies,
• block cookies from specific websites,
• block third-party cookies,
• prevent cookies from being stored.

The procedure differs according to the browser being used.

Blocking all cookies may affect the operation of some parts of the website. Browser settings alone should not be interpreted as consent to the use of optional cookies.

8. Third-Party Services

Third-party providers are responsible for the cookies and technologies they place through their services.

These providers may process information in accordance with their own privacy and cookie policies.

Depending on the services finally enabled on vardaris.com, third-party providers may include:

• video-hosting platforms,
• map providers,
• social media platforms,
• website analytics providers,
• live-game and tournament-results platforms.

Links to the relevant third-party policies will be added to the cookie information table where applicable.

9. International Data Transfers

Some third-party providers may process or store data outside the European Economic Area.

Where personal data is transferred internationally, the relevant provider is expected to use an applicable legal mechanism, such as:

• an adequacy decision issued by the European Commission,
• Standard Contractual Clauses,
• another transfer mechanism permitted under applicable data-protection legislation.

Further information is available in our Privacy Policy and in the privacy documentation of the relevant provider.

10. Updates to This Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated when:

• cookies or services used by the website change,
• new website functions are introduced,
• third-party providers change their technologies,
• applicable legal or regulatory requirements change.

The current version will always be available on this page together with the date of the latest update.

11. Contact

For questions about this Cookie Policy or the use of cookies on vardaris.com, please contact:

SACH Thessaloniki Chess Club
Organiser of the Vardaris International Chess Tournament
Thessaloniki, Greece
Email: info@vardaris.com