Chess’s global governing body, FIDE, along with World Chess, is set to launch an innovative initiative aimed at expanding the accessibility of official over-the-board ratings for rapid and blitz formats. This groundbreaking program, known as the First Rating Experiment, marks a significant development in the world of chess. It will allow players to earn their first FIDE ratings through online play, a first for the sport.
Expanding Access to Chess Ratings
The primary goal of this initiative is to broaden access to official ratings, which currently only about 500,000 players hold. Many aspiring chess players face challenges in attending rated in-person events, and this program aims to eliminate those barriers. The organizations are currently seeking input from the chess community to finalize the details of this two-year trial, which could commence as early as July.
The program will operate under full FIDE supervision on the official FIDE online platform specifically for rapid and blitz formats. To be eligible for a rating, players must have a substantial record of rated online tournament games, rather than just casual play. Once players meet the necessary criteria, their results will undergo rigorous fair-play checks before any rating is issued.
Central to this system is a conversion coefficient designed to ensure that ratings earned online reflect the same skill level as those achieved over-the-board. This coefficient will be set by specialists, recalibrated every six months using large player groups, and submitted for FIDE approval to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Initially, ratings earned through this program will be capped at 1,800. Players exceeding this threshold will be required to continue their journey in over-the-board events to progress further. Additionally, conversion from online results to an official over-the-board rating will be permitted once per calendar year, contingent upon professional and community guidance.
To maintain the integrity of the ratings system, robust anti-cheating measures will be implemented. These include layered detection processes, identity verification for all participants, and the ability to conduct reviews of flagged results. An appointed Anti-Cheating Officer will oversee these reviews, and a formal appeals process will be established. The system has also received independent assessment from external experts to ensure its reliability and is set for further certification.
FIDE and World Chess emphasize that this initiative is designed to broaden responsible access to official ratings while preserving the integrity of the chess community. They are actively inviting players, coaches, federations, and other experts to engage in discussions surrounding the technical aspects of the program—such as the conversion coefficient, qualifying standards, rating ceiling, and appeals process—before finalizing the rules.