How Does the Chess Rating System Work? Understanding Elo, Titles, and Climbing the Chess Ladder

Ever wondered why people brag about their Elo rating like it’s their Hogwarts house placement? Or how exactly someone becomes a chess grandmaster? Fear not—we’re about to decode the mysteries of the chess rating system, explain how you can get a rating, and even look at what it takes to join the big leagues.

What is the Chess Rating System?

The chess rating system is a mathematical system used to estimate a player's strength based on performance against other rated players. Think of it like a video game leaderboard, but with fewer explosions and more bishops.

The most commonly used system in the chess world is the Elo rating system, named after Arpad Elo, the physicist who developed it. This system is used by FIDE (the International Chess Federation) and most national federations around the world.

screenshoot FIDE

What is the Elo Rating in Chess?

The Elo rating is a number that represents a player’s skill level. Everyone starts somewhere (usually around 1000–1200), and your rating goes up or down depending on how well you do against other players. If you beat someone stronger than you, your rating jumps up like a knight over pawns. Lose to someone weaker? Your rating might drop faster than your confidence after blundering a queen.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Below 1200 – Beginner

• 1200–1600 – Intermediate

• 1600–2000 – Advanced

• 2000–2200 – Candidate Master level

• 2200–2400 – National Master strength

• 2400–2500 – International Master (IM)

• 2500+ – Grandmaster (GM)

How is the Chess Rating Calculated?

Each rated chess game you play changes your rating. The formula used considers:

• Your current rating

• Your opponent’s rating

• The result of the game (win, loss, or draw)

If you score better than expected, your rating goes up. If worse, it goes down. So yes, that draw against a grandmaster actually matters.

How to Get a Chess Rating

To get an official FIDE rating, you need to:

1. Play in FIDE-rated tournaments.

2. Play at least 5 games against already rated players.

3. Score at least 1 point (that’s a win or two draws).

Once your rating is established, it's updated regularly. Online chess platforms also have their own rating systems, which you can get just by playing online games.

🎯 Tip: Online ratings (like on Chess.com or Lichess) aren’t equivalent to FIDE ratings but are great for tracking your progress.

What is a Grandmaster Chess Rating?

The holy grail of chess titles is Grandmaster (GM). To earn this title, you need:

1. A FIDE rating of 2500+ at any point.

2. At least three GM norms, which are high-level performances in international tournaments.

🏆 Fun fact: Gukesh Dommaraju became one of the youngest grandmasters ever at age 12—just behind Magnus Carlsen!

There are also other titles like:

• International Master (IM) – 2400 rating + IM norms

• FIDE Master (FM) – 2300 rating

• Candidate Master (CM) – 2200 rating

Once earned, these titles are for life. So even if you lose every game after, you’re still a titled player!

Why Ratings Matter (and Why They Don’t)

Ratings are a great way to track improvement, measure yourself against others, and qualify for tournaments. But remember: it’s just a number.

• A lower-rated player can still play brilliant games.

• Chess isn’t only about winning—it’s about learning, creativity, and the journey.

So, whether you're a casual player hoping to break 1000 or dreaming of a GM title, the rating system is here to guide you—but it’s your passion that will take you all the way.