The Rating Obsession: Why It’s Ruining Your Progress
One day, I nearly fell out of my chair during a 1-on-1 call with a new student.
The reason?
He told me, "I’m afraid to lose my rating."
I asked. "Alright. What’s your rating?"
A short silence. Then he said it.
"588."
I blinked. "Wait… what?"
588. And he was worried about losing his rating?
I almost spilled my coffee.
That was the moment I knew — I had to write this article.
This is a disaster.
Lots of players are trapped, obsessed with numbers instead of focusing on what really matters.
I want to help, I want to change this.
Today, I’m going to tell you the truth.
Rating is your enemy.
Those few numbers mess with your mind, hold you back, and stop you from focusing on what really matters in chess.
I am GM Gabuzyan, and I know this because once, long ago, my rating almost destroyed me.
The Critical 12 Rating Points
The year was 2012.
I was an International Master, preparing for the European Youth U18 Championship. I had three GM norms — enough for the title.
But there was a problem. My rating was 2,488.
And to become a Grandmaster, I needed 2,500.
Twelve points.
A small number, but it felt impossible.
Can you imagine the stress?
I was always in a sad mood, unable to smile, constantly haunted by one thought: what if I suddenly dropped my rating and lost my dream forever?
Even in my sleep, it wouldn’t leave me alone.
I had a nightmare.
A cruel one.
I was standing there, in a bright hall, ready to receive my Grandmaster title certificate. My heart was racing. The moment I had dreamed of for years was finally here.
But then — something happened.
A force — dark, invisible, unstoppable — grabbed me.
It started pulling me away.
Slowly at first.
Then faster.
The certificate, the title, my dream — it was slipping away. I was getting further and further. I tried to fight it, to hold on, but the harder I tried, the stronger the force became.
Panic set in. I was losing everything.
I woke up in a cold sweat.
And I knew exactly what was happening.
I was worrying too much.
Too much about rating. Too much about what-ifs. Too much about failing.
That fear was consuming me — even in my sleep.
I called my coach and asked for a meeting before my tournament.
When we met, I was looking like I had just been run over by a truck… then hit again just to make sure.
If stress had a face, it would’ve been mine — tired, tense, and completely lost.
I couldn’t focus, couldn’t think, and I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to play.
He could feel my struggle. What he told me next changed everything.
Me: "Coach, I’m afraid to play. What if I don’t make it? What if I drop my rating and lose my dream?"
His answer was so simple, yet so powerful.
"Listen, rating is just a number. It’s just a measure of your strength — nothing more. If you are strong enough to reach 2,500, you will make it. And if you’re not there yet, no worries — you’ll get there. The rating doesn’t give you strength, it only reflects it."
It sounded so obvious.
I felt so dumb for a second.
Then I took a deep breath and said: "Okay, I’m ready."
Did the stress vanish instantly? Of course not.
At the start of the tournament, fear was still there. But now, I had a new perspective.
And then, game after game, things started to click.
I had some stressful games and was brave enough to make risky decisions. I wasn’t thinking about the numbers — I was just trying to play good chess and do my best.
I finished second in the tournament.
And my final rating change?
See for yourself.
Right after the final results were posted, I had one of the happiest moments in my life!
My phone rang.
It was my Dad.
"Congratulations, son. You are a Grandmaster."
That was the first time I truly understood how dangerous it is to be rating-dependent.
Now, let me explain how badly it affects players who are trying to improve and grow in chess.
How to Become Stronger (And Why Rating Dependency Holds You Back)
You want to get better at chess, right?
The strength needs to be your focus, not your rating.
How do you actually get stronger?
- Study new concepts. Positional principles, tactical patterns, endgames, and other chess topics.
- Practice what you learn — play real games, and test your ideas.
- Fix your mistakes by reviewing games and understanding what went wrong.
- Repeat the cycle, again and again.
That’s how you grow as a chess player. But here’s the catch:
If you’re rating-dependent, you’ll be scared to fully engage in this cycle.
You’ll avoid brave ideas and creative moves, worried they might cost you points.
You won’t take risks.
You’ll hold back from trying the strategies you’re learning.
And guess what? That fear kills your progress.
It freezes your growth because you’re afraid of the one thing that could make you stronger — losing and learning from your mistakes.
True strength comes when you let go of the points and focus on progress.
True improvement happens when you stop playing not to lose and start playing to learn.
The goal isn’t to protect your rating.
The goal is to become so strong that your rating will have no choice but to catch up.
Play fearlessly. Learn relentlessly. Grow stronger.
When Does Rating Matter?
Yes, rating matters. But only when you’re so good they PAY you to play chess.
My peak rating was around 2,620 FIDE, but even then, I didn’t really feel any difference compared to when I was 2,580.🙂
Super-Grandmasters? Yeah, they care. Their rating gets them into elite tournaments. Their rating gets them paid.
So if you’re not there yet, why stress over a few rating points?
Amateurs have this big advantage over Grandmasters — they can play without the crushing pressure of rating, are stress-free, and can be fully focused on growth and enjoyment.
How to Use Your Rating the Right Way
Rating isn’t your enemy when used correctly. It’s a tool. A simple number showing your progress, not defining your strength.
Use it as a growth indicator, not as a self-worth meter. Set goals like reaching 1,500, then 1,800, then 2,000 — but understand it’s just a milestone, not your identity as a player.
When you hit 1,494, don’t panic or play safe just to avoid dropping points. Growth happens when you push yourself, play bravely, and sometimes lose. Once you’re truly strong enough, you won’t just hit 1,500 — you’ll pass it and never look back.
Focus on getting stronger. The rating will follow. Always.
Thanks for reading. GM Gabuzyan was here with you 😊
