Why Is 1200 Considered a Beginner Rating?
You have learned the rules, you have played hundreds of games, and you are still called a beginner? Here is why — and why that is perfectly fine.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: When I started taking chess seriously, I was around 1200 and I remember feeling insulted when someone called me a beginner. I had been playing for months! But looking back now, I understand completely. At 1200, you know how the pieces move and you have basic pattern recognition, but the deeper layers of chess — strategy, positional play, endgame technique — are still largely unexplored. Calling 1200 "beginner" is not an insult. It is an honest description of where you stand on a very long and very rewarding journey.
Understanding the Rating Scale
Chess ratings are a numerical system designed to reflect playing strength. The most common system is Elo, developed by physicist Arpad Elo. In this system, a complete beginner who has just learned the rules might start around 400 to 800. A player rated 1200 has moved beyond the absolute basics but is still in the early stages of chess understanding.
To put 1200 in context: the average casual chess player is somewhere between 800 and 1200. Club-level players range from about 1400 to 1800. Experts are rated 2000 to 2199. Masters begin at 2200. International Masters are typically 2400 and above, and Grandmasters are usually 2500 and higher. The very best players in the world are rated above 2700.
So a 1200-rated player is, roughly speaking, in the bottom quarter of the competitive chess population. This is not meant to discourage anyone — it simply reflects the enormous depth of chess knowledge that exists above that level.
What a 1200-Rated Player Typically Knows
At 1200, a player typically has a solid grasp of the rules and basic piece movement. They can usually spot one-move tactics like simple forks and pins. They understand that development is important in the opening and that the king should be castled to safety.
What a 1200-rated player usually does not yet know is where the real depth lies. Multi-move combinations are difficult. Positional concepts like pawn structure, piece activity, and prophylactic thinking are largely unfamiliar. Endgame technique is minimal — they might not know the Lucena position or how to convert a basic advantage.
I think of 1200 as the point where you have learned to read but have not yet read any great literature. You have the tools, but the vast library of chess knowledge is still ahead of you. And that is exciting, not discouraging, because it means there are tremendous gains waiting to be made.
Why "Beginner" Is Not an Insult
Chess has an unusually deep skill ladder compared to most activities. In many fields, a few months of practice takes you from novice to competent. In chess, a few months of practice takes you from complete novice to... slightly less of a novice. This is because the game has so many layers — tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, psychology, time management — that true competence requires years of study.
When chess teachers call 1200 "beginner," they are using the term relative to the full spectrum of chess skill. It is a label of position on the learning curve, not a judgment of intelligence or effort. A 1200-rated player is absolutely a capable chess player who can enjoy the game and win many games. They are simply at the beginning of the journey toward deeper understanding.
I often compare it to learning a language. After a few months of studying French, you can order coffee and ask for directions. Are you a "beginner"? Yes, by the standards of fluency. But you have already accomplished something meaningful, and the path ahead is full of rewarding milestones.
The Path Forward from 1200
The good news about being rated 1200 is that improvement can be rapid from this point. The skills that take you from 1200 to 1600 are learnable and straightforward: basic tactics (forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks), elementary checkmate patterns, simple opening principles, and the fundamentals of endgame play.
Most players who study consistently can move from 1200 to 1500 within six months to a year. The gains come quickly because the knowledge gap is filled with well-understood, foundational concepts rather than the subtle refinements that separate a 2300 from a 2400.
I recommend focusing on three areas: daily tactical puzzles (even just fifteen minutes), learning basic endgame positions (king and pawn endings, rook endgames), and reviewing your games to find your recurring mistakes. This combination of practice, knowledge, and self-reflection is the fastest path out of the "beginner" label and into the intermediate range.
Common Questions About Chess Ratings
What rating is considered "intermediate"?
Generally, players rated between 1400 and 1800 are considered intermediate. At this level, you have solid tactical awareness, reasonable opening knowledge, and basic endgame skills. The exact thresholds vary by rating system.
Is online rating the same as official rating?
No. Online ratings (on platforms like Chess.com or Lichess) and official FIDE ratings use different systems and pools. A 1200 on one platform might correspond to a different level elsewhere. We discuss this further in our guide on rating differences between sites.
Can I improve beyond 1200 without a coach?
Absolutely. Many players have reached expert and master level through self-study using books, online resources, and puzzle training. A coach can accelerate progress, but improvement from 1200 is very achievable on your own with consistent effort.
Professor Archer says: Your rating is a snapshot, not a verdict. It tells you where you are today, not where you will be tomorrow. Every grandmaster in history was once rated 1200. What separated them was not talent alone, but the willingness to keep learning. So if you are at 1200, welcome — you are at the beginning of something wonderful.
Quick Quiz
Why is 1200 considered a beginner rating in chess?
- Because 1200-rated players do not know how the pieces move - A 1200-rated player definitely knows how the pieces move and has basic tactical awareness. The "beginner" label refers to where they stand relative to the full depth of chess knowledge.
- Because chess has so many layers of skill that 1200 represents only the early stages of understanding (Correct) - Exactly. Chess is an exceptionally deep game with layers of tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, and more. At 1200, a player has the basics but has not yet explored the deeper knowledge that separates intermediate, advanced, and master-level play.
- Because the rating system starts at zero - Rating systems do not typically start at zero. New players are usually assigned a provisional rating around 400 to 1200 depending on the system. The "beginner" label is about skill level, not the starting number.
- Because only professional players are considered non-beginners - There are many levels between beginner and professional. Players rated 1400 to 1800 are intermediate, 1800 to 2200 are advanced, and 2200 and above are master level. You do not need to be a professional to move beyond beginner.