How to Get a FIDE Rating
Step-by-step guide to earning your official international chess rating.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Getting your first FIDE rating is a rite of passage. It means you have sat across from another human being, shaken hands, started the clock, and played real chess under official conditions. No amount of online play can replicate that experience.
Steps to Earn a FIDE Rating
- Register with your national federation - You need a FIDE ID, which you obtain through your national chess federation. In the United States, this is done through US Chess. In other countries, contact your national federation. Registration is usually straightforward and can be done online.
- Find a FIDE-rated tournament - Look for tournaments that are FIDE-rated, meaning results are reported to FIDE. Your national federation's website and chess calendars list upcoming events. Open tournaments, weekend Swiss events, and round-robin leagues often carry FIDE rating.
- Play the required number of games - To receive an initial FIDE rating, you typically need to play at least five games against FIDE-rated opponents. These games do not need to be in a single tournament - they can accumulate over multiple events.
- Wait for the rating list publication - FIDE publishes updated rating lists monthly. After you have played enough rated games, your rating will appear on the next list. You can check your rating on the FIDE website using your FIDE ID.
What to Expect at Your First FIDE Event
FIDE-rated tournaments follow standard rules: you will need to record your moves on a scoresheet, use a chess clock, and follow touch-move rules strictly. The atmosphere is formal but welcoming, especially at open tournaments designed for all skill levels.
Bring your own set, board, and clock if possible, though many tournaments provide equipment. Arrive early to register, find your board, and settle in. Most events post pairings about 15 minutes before each round.
Tips for Your First Rating
Play your best and do not worry about the number. Your initial rating is based on your performance in those first games, and it will adjust over time as you play more.
Focus on playing solid chess rather than trying to win at all costs. Avoiding blunders and playing principled moves will give you a more accurate starting rating than gambling for wins against higher-rated opponents.
Consider playing a few local unrated or nationally-rated tournaments first to get comfortable with the tournament environment before jumping into FIDE-rated events.
FIDE Rating FAQ
How old do I need to be to get a FIDE rating?
There is no minimum age. Children as young as four or five have FIDE ratings. If you can play a tournament game following the rules, you can earn a FIDE rating.
Does it cost money to get a FIDE rating?
The FIDE ID is free, but there are usually tournament entry fees. These vary by event but are typically modest for local tournaments.
Professor Archer says: Do not worry about what your first FIDE rating will be. It is just a starting point. What matters is that you have entered the official chess world and now have a number that will grow as you improve.
Quick Quiz
How many games against FIDE-rated opponents are typically required to receive an initial FIDE rating?
- One game - A single game is not enough data to establish a reliable rating. The system needs more games to estimate your strength.
- At least five games (Correct) - Correct. FIDE generally requires at least five games against rated opponents to calculate an initial rating.
- Exactly twenty games - Twenty games is more than required. Five games is the typical minimum for an initial rating.
- One hundred games - This is far more than required. Five rated games is the standard minimum.