One way that chess players track their progress and measure their skill level is through the use of FIDE chess ratings.
The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) is the international governing body for chess, and it maintains a rating system for chess players around the world.
But what are FIDE chess ratings, and why are they important? In this article, we will explore the purpose and significance of FIDE chess ratings, how they are calculated, and how they can be used to help chess players improve their skills and reach their goals.
What is FIDE?
FIDE, an acronym of Fédération Internationale des Échecs, is the world governing body of the chess game, just like FIFA and FIBA is for football and basketball respectively.
Fédération Internationale des Échecs translates to International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation.
FIDE was founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing.
With chess being a global sport, FIDE is now one of the largest sports federations with affiliate members in over 200 countries.
FIDE defines the rules of chess and regulates all international chess competitions. In addition, it has a system for rating chess players and awards titles for achievement in competitive play, such as the Grandmaster title.
What are FIDE chess ratings?
FIDE chess ratings are numerical ratings assigned to chess players based on their performance in rated chess games. These ratings are used to measure a player’s skill level and track their progress over time.
There are major rating systems such as the Ingo system, Harkness system, English Chess Federation system, and Elo rating system. However, the FIDE rating system is based on the Elo rating system, which was developed by Arpad Elo, a Hungarian-American physicist and chess player.
The Elo rating system is a statistical method that uses the results of chess games to calculate the relative skill levels of players. It takes into account the strength of the player’s opponent, the outcome of the game, and other factors such as whether the game was played at home or away.
FIDE chess ratings range from a low of around 800 to a high of over 2800, with the average rating being around 1600. The higher a player’s rating, the more skilled they are considered to be.
Each month, FIDE publishes the lists Top 100 Players, Top 100 Women, Top 100 Juniors, and Top 100 Girls rankings of countries according to the average rating of their top 10 players and top 10 female players.
Why are FIDE chess ratings important?
FIDE chess ratings are important for a number of reasons. Here are just a few:
- They provide a way to measure a player’s skill level:
By assigning a numerical rating to a player, FIDE chess ratings provide a way to measure a player’s skill level and track their progress over time.
This can be especially useful for players who are trying to improve their skills and reach higher levels of play. - They allow players to compare their skills with others:
With FIDE chess ratings, players can compare their skill level to that of other players around the world.
This can be motivating for players who are trying to improve their skills and reach higher levels of play. - They help players find opponents of similar skill levels:
By using FIDE chess ratings, players can find opponents of similar skill levels to play against.
This can help ensure that games are more competitive and enjoyable for both players. - They are used to seed players in tournaments:
In chess tournaments, players are typically ranked based on their FIDE chess ratings.
This allows tournament organizers to seed players in a way that ensures that the most skilled players are matched up against each other in later rounds of the tournament.
How are FIDE chess ratings calculated?
FIDE chess ratings are calculated using a complex formula that takes into account a number of factors, including the strength of the player’s opponent, the outcome of the game, and whether the game was played at home or away.
The basic idea behind the calculation of FIDE chess ratings is that a player’s rating should increase if they win a game against a higher-rated opponent, and decrease if they lose a game against a lower-rated opponent.
The amount of change in a player’s rating depends on the difference in ratings between the two players, as well as the outcome of the game.
Here is an example of how FIDE chess ratings are calculated using the Elo rating system:
Player A has a rating of 1600 and plays against Player B, who has a rating of 1400.
Player A is considered the “favorite” to win the game, as their rating is higher than Player B’s.
If Player A wins the game, their rating will increase based on the difference in ratings between the two players and the outcome of the game.
If Player A loses the game, their rating will decrease based on the difference in ratings between the two players and the outcome of the game.
FIDE chess ratings are recalculated after each rated game, so a player’s rating can fluctuate based on their performance in these games.
How To Get a FIDE Rating
You must first register in your respective nation’s chess federation, which you can do by visiting their official website. After registering, you will get your unique FIDE ID, and you can play in the FIDE-rated tournament.
You have to visit the official national chess federation website of the country where you live to find the rated chess tournaments.
To get initial FIDE chess ratings, the player must have played at least five rated chess games against the rated chess players and have scored at least half points against them. Also, the performance rating must be at least 1000.
You don’t need to play against all five rated chess players in a single rated tournament.
How to Get FIDE Chess Ratings Online
If you spend a lot of time online playing chess, you can also get an official ranking for your game. After all, more people now play chess online, especially after Queen Gambit Netflix hit during the pandemic.
Many still have doubts about how practical it is to get a ranking online, and will FIDE recognize online play in their rankings?
You can get a FIDE online rating, awarded specifically for online play in the FIDE online arena.
However, if you want full FIDE chess ratings, there is only one way: play in a sufficient number of competitions in person and win several games.
You can get an online rating by subscribing to the My Fide Arena at the cost of 25 euros a year in subscription fees.
Advantages of having a FIDE rating (or titles)
Some of the advantages you can enjoy as a FIDE rated or titled player are:
- More recognition: Titled chess players or players with high FIDE ratings are usually more popular and recognized in their local communities.
These recognitions are global or international when players attain the title of International Master (IM) and Grandmaster(GM). - Endorsement deals: Titled players may get more advertisements and endorsements, but it hugely depends on an individual’s branding and selling skills.
- Sponsorships: They are invited to many more tournaments, with all their costs covered by the sponsors.
- More Opportunities: They are allowed to play a much higher level of tournaments. This allows high-rated players to compete for the larger prize pool. They can charge the desired amount for their coaching when they are contracted.
How to Increase Your FIDE Chess Rating
If you are a chess player looking to increase your FIDE chess rating, there are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of success:
Play in rated chess games: The most effective way to increase your FIDE chess rating is to play in rated chess games. These games are organized by chess federations and clubs, and are typically held at local or regional chess tournaments. To play in a rated chess game, you must be a member of a chess federation that is affiliated with FIDE.
Practice regularly: To improve your skills and increase your chances of winning rated games, it is important to practice regularly. This can involve studying chess books and articles, analyzing your own games, and playing against other chess players.
Seek out stronger opponents: By playing against stronger opponents, you can challenge yourself and improve your skills more quickly. This can also help you increase your FIDE chess rating, as the rating system rewards players for winning games against higher-rated opponents.
Set goals for yourself: By setting specific goals for yourself, you can stay motivated and focused on improving your skills. For example, you might set a goal to reach a certain rating within a certain time frame, or to win a certain number of rated games in a row.
We recommend these articles to get better at your chess:
- How To Improve Your Chess Rating For Beginners (From 0-1800)
- How to Get Better at Chess: A 12-Step Guide
- Why Am I So Bad At Chess? Here Are 4 Possible Reasons
- 5 Tips To Become A Better Chess Player
- How To Analyze Your Chess Games in 9 Steps
- How To Get To 1800 Chess Rating With Advice From Experts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often are FIDE chess ratings updated?
FIDE chess ratings are updated after each rated game that a player plays. This means that a player’s rating can fluctuate based on their performance in these games.
How do players get a FIDE chess rating?
Players can get a FIDE chess rating by playing in rated chess games. These games are organized by chess federations and clubs, and are typically held at local or regional chess tournaments. To play in a rated chess game, players must be members of a chess federation that is affiliated with FIDE.
Can players who are not members of a chess federation get a FIDE chess rating?
No, players who are not members of a chess federation cannot get a FIDE chess rating. To get a FIDE chess rating, players must be members of a chess federation that is affiliated with FIDE.
Is it possible to increase a player’s FIDE chess rating by playing against lower-rated opponents?
It is possible for a player to increase their FIDE chess rating by playing against lower-rated opponents, but it is generally more difficult to do so.
This is because the rating system is designed to reward players for winning games against higher-rated opponents and penalize them for losing games against lower-rated opponents.
As a result, players who consistently play against lower-rated opponents may find it difficult to significantly increase their rating.
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