Rating oscillation in chess is completely normal

Rating oscillation in chess is completely normal and happens to every player, regardless of their level. As a coach with 20 years of experience and a FIDE trainer myself, I can confidently say that rating changes—both up and down—are simply part of the game. They reflect growth, learning, experimentation, and sometimes fatigue or form.

When a player is improving, their rating doesn't always rise in a straight line. There are periods of progress followed by setbacks. This is natural. You might have a week where everything clicks and you gain 50 points. Then next week, you lose three games in a row and drop back. This doesn’t mean you’re getting worse. It often means you're trying new ideas, facing stronger competition, or learning how to manage pressure in critical moments.

Even top players have fluctuations. Magnus Carlsen, the world’s best for over a decade, has had rating drops after tough tournaments. It’s not a sign of failure—it’s part of being active and constantly testing your limits.

Many players panic when their rating falls, but that’s the worst thing you can do. When you start chasing rating or playing only to avoid losing, your improvement slows. Instead, focus on the quality of your play: Are you calculating better? Are you understanding positions deeper? Are you spotting more tactics?

Chess ratings are not fixed identities—they are just numbers that follow your results. What matters more is consistent effort, reflection after games, and the ability to bounce back.

In practical terms, here's what you can do when your rating drops:

• Analyze your recent losses without emotion. Try to understand the recurring mistakes.

• Work on your weaknesses. If you keep blundering in time trouble, train your clock management.

• Keep playing and stay active. Inactivity can freeze your growth.

• Don’t avoid stronger opponents. Tough games sharpen your skills, even if you lose.

• Accept that improvement often looks like two steps forward, one step back.

Rating swings are not signs of failure—they’re evidence of your activity and effort. The only real failure in chess is stopping your learning because of fear or frustration.

So embrace the ups and downs. Every great player has been through them. What separates long-term success from stagnation is the mindset: stay consistent, stay curious, and keep playing.

Join the July group and improve your game with me contact me at dpolimac@gmail.com    

Happy playing! 

Agreed! I tell my students the same when they are discouraged.

Confirm

Well done

What is the trick behind blitz? i didn't say that to brag, i was hinting that it seems that winning in blitz is a function of some things solely confined to blitz.
Do you know any tricks to doing better in blitz? I feel like I am missing something unrelated to chess skill which is holding my rating back. My rating increased by like 150+ when I changed from 3/2 to 3/0.

At 55 years old, blitz is not my favorite time control. However, I know that every player has their preferred time control, except for Magnus, who is simply the best in all of them.