Every World Chess player can get an Online Elo rating, no membership needed. Your rating is calculated separately for each time control (Rapid, Blitz, Bullet), so you’ll get your initial rating in each one independently.
Until you have a rating in a time control, opponents will see you as New during your games.
How do I get my initial rating?
You need to complete 5 rated games against opponents who already have a rating:
Start the count. Play rated games until you win or draw against a rated opponent. That game becomes your first game: 1 of 5.
Play 4 more games. After that, any 4 rated games against rated opponents complete your 5, whether you win, draw or lose.
Both lobby and tournament games count.
After each game, you’ll see your progress in the game result window.
Note: Games against players who don’t have a rating yet (shown as New) don’t count toward your 5 games.
Why 5 games?
This follows FIDE regulations for calculating an initial rating. It also helps us keep the platform fair: your first games help our Fair Play system protect you and every other player.
Already have an OTB rating?
If you have an over-the-board (OTB) FIDE rating and a Platinum or Black membership, you can use it on World Chess. When you connect your FIDE ID, we take your highest OTB rating and apply it to your Online Elo in all time controls:
No Online Elo yet? Your OTB rating becomes your Online Elo, with no need to play the 5 games.
Already have an Online Elo? If your OTB rating is higher, your Online Elo is raised to match it. If it’s lower, your Online Elo stays the same.
For example, if your OTB ratings are 1650 in Rapid and 1720 in Blitz, your Online Elo will start at 1720 in Rapid, Blitz and Bullet.
To connect your FIDE ID, see How to get or connect your FIDE ID?
A high starting rating can also let you go straight for a higher World Chess Title. See How to get a World Chess Title?