FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs — the International Chess Federation) is the world governing body for competitive chess, responsible for setting the official rules of the game and managing international ratings, including the widely used ELO rating system.
Founded in 1924, FIDE brings together national chess federations from across the globe. It organizes the World Chess Championship, the Chess Olympiad, and a wide range of international tournaments. FIDE is also the authority that awards official titles such as FIDE Master (FM), International Master (IM), and Grandmaster (GM).
In practice, FIDE becomes relevant to you as soon as you play in a rated over-the-board tournament. Your results will be submitted to FIDE, and your official ELO rating will be updated accordingly. This rating is recognized worldwide, making it a reliable and universal benchmark — unlike the internal ratings used by most online chess platforms.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a FIDE rating and an online rating from Chess.com or Lichess?
- A FIDE rating is earned through over-the-board games in officially rated tournaments, under controlled conditions with a referee. Ratings from Chess.com or Lichess are internal systems based on online games, often played at fast time controls, and are not officially recognized by FIDE.
- How do you get your first FIDE rating?
- You need to play at least 5 games against already-rated FIDE players in an officially rated tournament. Your national federation can point you toward beginner-friendly events. FIDE will then assign an initial ELO based on your results.
- What official titles does FIDE award?
- FIDE awards several titles: Candidate Master (CM, 2200 ELO), FIDE Master (FM, 2300 ELO), International Master (IM, 2400 ELO), and Grandmaster (GM, 2500 ELO). Equivalent women’s titles also exist (WCM, WFM, WIM, WGM).
Analyze your games for free
Spot your recurring mistakes and turn them into progress with ChessPivot.
Analyze my games