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Writer's pictureNazia Muzammil

Learning Chess online: Explore how to get your FIDE rating

Updated: Jul 11, 2023

What is FIDE:

FIDE stands for the "Fédération Internationale des Échecs", which is the international organization governing the sport of chess. It is commonly known as the World Chess Federation. FIDE was founded in 1924 and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the supreme authority in the world of chess. FIDE's primary responsibilities include organizing world chess championships, establishing chess ratings and titles, promoting chess education and development, and enforcing the rules of the game at the international level.


All international chess tournaments are governed by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the governing body of chess. It was established as a non-governmental organization and recognized as a Global Sporting Organisation by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.


FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). It was among the original International Sports Federations, along with the ones for football, swimming, cricket and auto-racing. It is currently one of the largest, with affiliate members from 199 nations, represented by National Chess Federations. Chess is now a truly global sport with millions of players across all continents and an average of 60 million games played daily.


Click here to read an interesting article on chess:


What is the importance of FIDE:

FIDE plays a crucial role in the world of chess, and its importance can be highlighted in several ways:

Governing Body: FIDE is the official international governing body for chess. It sets and enforces the rules and regulations of the game, ensuring consistency and fair play across all levels and countries.


World Chess Championships: FIDE organizes World Chess Championships, including the World Chess Championship match, where the reigning champion defends their title against a challenger. These prestigious events determine the world chess champion and attract significant attention and media coverage.


Chess Ratings and Titles: FIDE maintains the official chess rating system, known as the Elo rating system. Players' ratings are essential for determining their strength and ranking relative to other players. FIDE also awards various titles, such as Grandmaster, International Master, and FIDE Master, which recognize players' achievements and contribute to their reputation and career opportunities.


International Competitions: FIDE organizes and oversees numerous international chess tournaments and events, including the Chess Olympiad (a team-based event) and the World Cup. These competitions provide opportunities for players from different countries to compete, gain experience, and showcase their skills on a global stage.


Chess Development and Promotion: FIDE is committed to the development and promotion of chess worldwide. It supports chess education initiatives, organizes training programs, and encourages the growth of chess in schools. FIDE's efforts help to popularize the game, create opportunities for players of all ages and backgrounds, and foster the growth of chess communities globally.


Arbitration and Dispute Resolution: FIDE acts as an arbitrator and mediator in chess-related disputes, helping to resolve conflicts and ensure fair play. It establishes guidelines and procedures for handling disputes and maintains the integrity of the game.


Overall, FIDE's importance lies in its role as the central authority for chess, organizing prestigious tournaments, establishing standards, promoting chess development, and fostering the growth of the game worldwide.


How to get the FIDE rating:

To get a FIDE rating, follow these steps:

  • Find FIDE-rated tournaments in your area.

  • Register with your national chess federation.

  • Participate in FIDE-rated tournaments and play against rated opponents.

  • Tournament organizers will submit the results to your federation.

  • Your federation will forward the results to FIDE.

  • FIDE will calculate your rating based on your tournament performance.

  • Your rating will be updated in the FIDE rating database.


Remember, the specific procedures may vary, so it's best to consult your national chess federation for detailed information.


To obtain a FIDE rating, you generally need to play a minimum of 9 rated games against opponents with established ratings. However, the exact number of games required can vary depending on several factors, including the strength of your opponents and your performance in those games.


The following guidelines are typically followed:

At least 9 Rated Games: To be eligible for an initial FIDE rating, you should play a minimum of 9 rated games. These games must be played against opponents who already have FIDE ratings.


Performance Rating: Your rating will be calculated based on your performance in those games. If your performance rating in those 9 games is significantly higher than your initial rating, you may receive a higher initial rating.


Rating Calculation: FIDE uses a complex formula to calculate ratings, taking into account factors such as the ratings of your opponents, the rating differences between players, and the outcomes of the games (win, loss, or draw). The exact rating change depends on these variables.


It is important to note that the 9-game minimum requirement is not a guarantee of receiving a rating. If your performance is significantly below the average rating of your opponents, it may result in a provisional rating rather than an established one. Provisional ratings have less reliability until more games are played.


Additionally, once you have an established rating, the rating change after each game is typically smaller than during the initial phase. The rating update becomes more gradual as you play more games and your rating stabilizes.


It's recommended to participate in more than the minimum required games to have a more accurate and representative rating. The more games you play against a variety of opponents, the better your rating reflects your actual playing strength


Click here to read an interesting article on chess:


Different Formats in FIDE

FIDE recognizes and regulates various formats and time controls for chess tournaments. Here are some of the different formats commonly used in FIDE-rated events:


Standard Chess: This is the most traditional and common format of chess. It follows the regular rules of the game, with each player typically having a set amount of time (usually measured in minutes) for the entire game. The standard time control can vary, but commonly used time controls include 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.


Rapid Chess: Rapid chess is a faster-paced format compared to standard chess. In rapid chess, each player has less time on their clock to complete their moves. The time control for rapid chess is usually between 10 to 60 minutes per player for the entire game, with or without an increment.


Blitz Chess: Blitz chess is an even faster variant of chess, where each player has very limited time on their clock. The time control for blitz chess is typically between 3 to 10 minutes per player for the entire game, often with a very small increment per move or no increment at all.


How Learner Circle helps your kid to get the fide ratings

Learner Circle offers a structured course program consisting of four levels: L1, L2, L3, and L4. Each level focuses on different aspects of chess development to provide a solid foundation and improve specific skills.


Enroll your child in Learner Circle's chess program:


In Level 1, we lay a strong foundation by focusing on tactics. Students learn and practice various tactical concepts and patterns to sharpen their tactical skills.


In Level 2 of our course program, the focus remains on tactics. Students continue to enhance their tactical skills and deepen their understanding of various tactical concepts and patterns. They engage in tactical exercises, solve puzzles, and practice tactical decision-making to improve their ability to spot tactical opportunities and calculate variations accurately.


Level 3 is designed to develop the student's strategic thinking. They learn to formulate and execute long-term plans, understand different pawn structures, and gain a deeper understanding of positional nuances.


In Level 4, we emphasize the development of a combinational vision. Students will learn to identify and execute combinations, calculate variations accurately, and improve their ability to visualize complex positions.


After completing these four levels, we offer a special FIDE Training Programme. This program is designed to provide specialized training to students aspiring to achieve FIDE ratings. It includes targeted coaching, practice matches, and guidance to help students prepare for FIDE-rated tournaments and improve their chances of achieving their desired FIDE ratings.


At Learner Circle, we believe that by following this structured course program and participating in the FIDE Training Programme, students can enhance their chess skills, broaden their understanding of the game, and work towards achieving their goals in FIDE-rated competitions.


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