A chess rating is a number that estimates your playing strength, and almost every rating uses the Elo system. Beat stronger players and your number climbs; lose to weaker ones and it drops — the size of each change depends on who you played.
How Elo works
The Elo system predicts the result of a game from the gap between two ratings. Win against someone much higher rated and you gain a lot; win against someone much lower and you gain very little.
- Beating a stronger player earns more points.
- Losing to a weaker player costs more points.
- Two equal players each risk the same amount.
Your rating is a moving average of your results, not a fixed grade.
What the numbers mean
Ratings roughly map to skill levels, though exact bands vary by platform.
| Rating | Level |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Beginner |
| 800–1200 | Casual club player |
| 1200–1600 | Intermediate |
| 1600–2000 | Strong club player |
| 2000–2200 | Expert |
| 2200+ | Master and above |
The grandmaster title generally requires a rating around 2500 plus tournament results.
Online vs official ratings
Online ratings (chess.com, Lichess) and official ratings (FIDE, national federations) use similar math but different pools of players, so they do not match one-to-one.
Tip: do not compare your Lichess blitz rating to a friend’s FIDE rating. They are measured against different populations. Compare only ratings from the same system and time control.
Should you chase a rating?
A rating is useful feedback, but chasing the number can make you play scared. Focus on good moves and steady study — solving puzzles, reviewing losses, learning endgames — and the rating follows. Track it monthly, not game by game, and you will see real progress without the stress of watching every point.