The FIDE Council has recently made a significant decision to approve a trial that allows shorter time-control tournaments to count toward the standard rating list. This pilot initiative will utilize a 45-minute base time with a 30-second increment starting from the first move, a format that is expected to attract considerable interest from players and organizers alike.
New Time-Control Rules for Standard Ratings
Previously, the rules governing minimum time controls for standard ratings were based on a 60-move game, with specific requirements depending on player ratings:
- If at least one player is rated 2400 or above, each player must have 120 minutes.
- If at least one player is rated 1800 or above, each player must have 90 minutes.
- If both players are rated below 1800, each player must have 60 minutes.
As part of the new trial, three notable events will be rated as standard using the 45+30 format. These events include:
- Qatar Cup (September 7–13)
- QCA Training Center September Tournament Classical (September 25–27)
- Women’s World Team Championship (November 17–24)
During these tournaments, standard-rating procedures will apply, but with specific conditions: no title norms will be awarded, and organizers must limit the schedule to no more than two rounds per day. This initiative is a response to the growing interest in faster classical formats that still demand deep preparation and serious play.
The concept was originally proposed by Oleg Skvortsov, who is recognized for organizing events with 2–3 hour rounds, allowing for two rounds to be played in a single day. This approach has resonated with many in the chess community, highlighting the need for flexibility in tournament formats.
FIDE plans to thoroughly review the results and gather feedback after these pilot tournaments. This will help determine whether the shorter time-control format can be adopted more broadly in the future, potentially reshaping the landscape of competitive chess.