How does a child get a FIDE rating?
A FIDE rating is an official international chess rating from FIDE, the world chess federation. It is earned by playing in tournaments that are officially rated by FIDE โ not by taking classes or online games. Here is how the process works for a child.
FIDE rating vs other ratings
Your child may already have a rating on an online site such as Lichess or Chess.com. Those are useful for practice but are separate from FIDE. Many countries also run their own national ratings (for example US Chess in the USA or the ECF in England). A FIDE rating is the one recognised worldwide.
FIDE keeps separate ratings for standard (slow), rapid and blitz games.
The usual steps
- Register with your national chess federation (in India, that is the All India Chess Federation) and obtain a FIDE ID. Tournament organisers can usually help.
- Enter tournaments that are FIDE-rated. The tournament information will say so.
- Play games against opponents who already have a FIDE rating. Games against unrated players do not count towards a first rating.
- Once your child has played enough rated games and scored at least some points against rated opponents, FIDE publishes an initial rating in its monthly rating list.
The exact requirements โ how many games, against how many rated opponents, and the minimum published rating โ are set out in FIDE's rating regulations, which were last changed significantly in 2024. Your national federation or the tournament arbiter can confirm the current rules.
How long does it take?
It varies widely. A child who already plays confidently might get a first rating after one or two FIDE-rated events. For most juniors it takes several months of regular tournament play. The time depends far more on how often your child plays rated events than on age.
Is a rating important?
A rating is a useful measure of progress and opens the door to rated junior championships. But it is not the goal in itself. Children who enjoy the game, practise regularly and learn from their losses tend to improve โ and the rating follows.
How a coach helps
- Preparing for longer, slower games and using a chess clock.
- Writing down moves (notation), which most rated events require.
- Choosing suitable first tournaments and reviewing games afterwards.
Common questions
Can a child get a FIDE rating from online games?
No. FIDE ratings come from FIDE-rated tournaments, played under official rules. Online ratings are separate.
What is a good first FIDE rating for a child?
There is no fixed 'good' number โ the first rating simply reflects results in the first rated games. Progress over time matters more.
Does my child need a FIDE ID before entering?
Usually yes for FIDE-rated events. Registration is done through your national federation; organisers can guide you.
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