A guide to ratings - Look no further!

Hello,

One of the most asked questions in chess is "what is a good rating" or "what does this rating mean"? This enthusiasm should be addressed accurately to foster realistic goals for chess newcomers. My goal with this post is to provide an accurate reference for those with such questions. 

0-200: Newbie

          At this rating, you are likely still learning the rules. Although you may know all the major rules of the game (such as how the pieces move), likely, you are unsure of the minor rules such as en passant, castling, or how the knight moves. This is a common rating for children starting in chess.

201-400: Elementary

          At this rating, you have probably learned all the rules to chess, both major and minor. Your plans are undeveloped or nonexistent. Your board vision is poor and you blunder often (where did that bishop come from?) With some practice, your board vision and feel for the game will improve. This is a common rating for children in junior high who practice chess. At this rating you will see checkmates in the end game when one player has a large surplus of material. 

401-600: Beginner

          At this rating you are beginning to develop offensive plans. You have weak tactical knowledge and no positional understanding. Blunders are not uncommon. At this rating you may occasionally see mid-game checkmates. This rating is most common for adults just learning the game.

601-800: Intermediate

          This is the most common rating bracket among players on chess.com. Board vision is well developed. The player has reasonable tactical and positional understanding and develops both offensive and defensive plans, though they are often incorrect. The ability to calculate variations begins to develop. Players may begin study of opening theory, as is evidenced by opening traps occasionally played at this rating. Checkmates in early or mid-game are not uncommon. Most adults will be in this rating bracket after casual study, as well as gifted beginners. 

801-1000: Advanced

          Rating points start to come slow in this rating bracket for most. Players have a good tactical skills as well as reasonable positional knowledge. Players begin to develop an opening repertoire they know well. These players have the ability to calculate 2-5 move variations accurately. Blunders are uncommon, and are punished accordingly The players play with good plans and both sides can set up checkmate without being lost. This is a common rating for players who have initiated serious study or beginners who are extremely talented.

1001-1100: Competitive

          You can start to find some very serious players in this bracket. These players are undergoing a serious study regimen and are playing chess to win. Blunders are almost non-existent and result in a lost game for the blunderer. Tactical skills and positional understanding is well developed. These players have a good understanding of opening theory and know the objectives of multiple openings. These players are experienced enough to see the transition of opening to mid game to end and know subtle nuances of play based on this. Most players never see this rating bracket.

1101-1200: Expert 

          The 1200 hump is commonly referred to as chess' greatest obstacle. Tactical skills are stretched to their human limits. Positional understanding and opening theory have been honed by what is typically years of experience. Blunders are non-existent and players calculate variations instantly. Longer variations can also be calculated accurately. This is the highest rating achievable for an average adult after years of practice and study. 

1201-1300: Master

          Only talented individuals reach this rating. All aspects of chess play are strong at this level. Players at this rating typically have decades of experience. Sadly, cheating is common at this rating via the use of computer programs in games and performance enhancing drugs. These players typically emulate theory of grandmaster players. 

1301-1400: Grandmaster

          The pinnacle of the sport, only the very best can reach this level. These players are the trailblazers of chess knowledge and are on the cutting edge of modern understanding. They set the meta to which all other players aspire to and emulate. Most players are not-titled at this rating due to waiting to achieve their norm. If it were't for the politicking of chess organizations and an absence of a truly just federation, these players would have the coveted Grandmaster title. 

There you go! This rating chart will cover almost all chess players. If you know someone asking what a certain rating means please refer them to this write up.

Hopefully this has answered some of your questions and inspired some of you to continue in your chess pursuits!         

1400... Grandmaster... You're around 1100 points, and tournament norms shy of consideration.

Wait.. Is this chart in metric?

Very funny Andec. I am skeptical of the achievability of 2500 for anyone without technical aids or PEDs. Regardless, 0-1500 encompasses 99.9% of chess players. Anything beyond that is completely abnormal

garbage thread. Grandmaster is 2500 minimum.

and I am not sure it is even possible to get a rating below 200

I hope this is a joke thread... a quick check shows your rating here around 700-800. I sincerely hope this is a joke thread...

0-1500 encompasses around 50% of chessplayers in competitive play. I would estimate it may be around 80-85% of all chessplayers, due to the large number of people who seem to consider themselves good when they are just getting into chess, say 500 or so. 

Lol

1600 here as well

I hope it’s  a joke thread. If not I agree with you, very very wrong...

yeah true on the 200. The lowest I’ve seen was 500-something. 200 you’d need to be really really bad...

Why are you trolling around?

Yes, i hope it’s a troll

if this isn’t a joke or troll thread... the OP is seriously misinformed  

I have only been playing regularly for few days and i am almost 1100 blitz.According to you i am an expert

 we all know the above is way off tho

Seems legit to me!

Anyone wants to reply to my question please go to this thread and reply.Thanks in advance.

Very true

It seems most people have a very skewed perception of what is "good" in chess due to the fact they are in circles that attract only the top talent and those who are very experienced. 

And, as I've said, most players you see with massive, unachievable ratings owe it to PEDs or computer assistance. 

Largely I am referring to elo rating on chess.com -  the majority of chess players do not play OTB in tournaments. That play is rank with politics and favoritism, which explains why some deserving players never get the appropriate title. 

Omg... you’re serious?

No.

’massive, unachievable ratings’ is very subjective. To you, 1400 may seem unachievable, to someone else(such as me), that would be 2000.

And as for the allegations of cheating, do not do that. Many players have worked their fair way up, and wouldn’t appreciate being accused of cheating simply for being clearly better than you.