lichess_create_challenge · Lichess MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What lichess_create_challenge does on Lichess MCP

AI agents use lichess_create_challenge to create or update resources in Lichess MCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Lichess MCP environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why lichess_create_challenge needs a policy

This tool creates a new challenge/game invitation on Lichess, which is a reversible write operation (the challenge can be cancelled). It does not execute code, delete data, or involve financial transactions. The blast radius is medium because an AI agent could spam challenges to users without consent.

From the tool's definition Challenge a Lichess player to a chess game. Send a game invite with custom time control

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

lichess_create_challenge Rate-limited

lichess_create_challenge stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "lichess_create_challenge": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "lichess_create_challenge_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Lichess MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about lichess_create_challenge

What does the lichess_create_challenge tool do? +

Challenge a Lichess player to a chess game. Send a game invite with custom time control (bullet, blitz, rapid, classical, correspondence), color choice, and rated or casual. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Lichess MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on lichess_create_challenge? +

Register the Lichess MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for lichess_create_challenge: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Lichess MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is lichess_create_challenge? +

lichess_create_challenge is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit lichess_create_challenge? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the lichess_create_challenge rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block lichess_create_challenge completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for lichess_create_challenge. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides lichess_create_challenge? +

lichess_create_challenge is provided by the Lichess MCP server (jamespdaily/lichess-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.