Understanding the differences between Chess.com, Lichess, and FIDE ratings is crucial for evaluating your true level in classical chess games. Each platform uses a different rating system, leading to significant discrepancies between them.
🔍 Differences Between Rating Systems
- Chess.com: Uses the Glicko rating system, an improved version of Elo that accounts for rating volatility and player activity.
- Lichess: Uses Glicko-2, an even more dynamic system that leads to higher ratings across all levels.
- FIDE: Uses the traditional Elo system, primarily for official over-the-board tournaments, with slower rating progression.
📊 Approximate Rating Conversion for Classical Games
| Chess.com Rating | Lichess Rating | FIDE Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 800 | 1000 | 700 |
| 1000 | 1200 | 900 |
| 1200 | 1400 | 1100 |
| 1400 | 1600 | 1250 |
| 1600 | 1800 | 1400 |
| 1800 | 2000 | 1600 |
| 2000 | 2200 | 1800 |
| 2200 | 2400 | 2000 |
| 2400+ | 2600+ | 2200+ |
📌 Note: These values are approximate estimates based on player data and community comparisons. Individual ratings may vary due to different rating pool distributions and platform-specific algorithms.
🎯 Key Takeaways
✔ Chess.com Ratings are generally lower than Lichess but still inflated compared to FIDE ratings.
✔ Lichess Ratings tend to be higher due to the Glicko-2 system and different player pools.
✔ FIDE Ratings are the most conservative, reflecting over-the-board tournament performance rather than online play.
✔ Your true strength is often best represented by your Chess.com Rapid or FIDE Elo rating.
📌 Conclusion
Chess ratings on Chess.com, Lichess, and FIDE are not directly comparable due to differences in their rating systems, player bases, and time controls. Use this guide as a general reference, but rely on your own performance trends for accurate self-assessment.
💡 Want to learn more?
Check out this discussion: Chess.com vs Lichess vs FIDE Rating Differences
🚀 Want to improve your chess openings?
Check out our Personalized Chess Opening Posters designed for your rating level!