ChessWorld.net, founded in 2000, is an online chess site. Play relaxed, friendly correspondence-style chess at your own pace.
What Is a Good Chess Rating?
You just played your first few games and got a rating number (Elo). Is 600 good? Is 1200 amazing? Here is a realistic breakdown of what the numbers mean.
The Rating Ladder
Note: These are general estimates for online chess sites. FIDE (real life) ratings are usually harder to get.
| Rating (Elo) | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 800 | Beginner | Learning how pieces move. Often hangs pieces (blunders). |
| 800 – 1200 | Novice | Knows basic openings and tactics. Stops giving pieces away for free. |
| 1200 – 1600 | Intermediate | Solid club player. Understands strategy and basic endgames. |
| 1600 – 2000 | Advanced | Strong club player. Rarely makes tactical mistakes. |
| 2000 – 2200 | Expert / CM | Top 1% of players. Very deep theoretical knowledge. |
| 2500+ | Grandmaster | Professional players. The best in the world. |
Online vs. Real Life (FIDE)
Do not be confused if your rating is different on different websites!
- Lichess: Ratings tend to be higher (inflated). A 1500 here might be a 1200 elsewhere.
- Chess.com: Ratings tend to be lower initially. A 1000 here is a decent score.
- FIDE (Official): The hardest to earn. You only get this by playing in-person tournaments.
What is the Average?
On major chess websites, the global average is usually around 600 to 800. If you reach 1000, you are already better than 50% of the people on the site! If you reach 1500, you are often in the top 5–10%.
Next Steps
- How to Improve Rating – Study plans.
- Best Age to Learn – Is it too late to become a GM?
- Tactics Trainer – The fastest way to gain rating points.