FIDE changes rating regulations

by ChessBase
9/30/2025 – Hikaru Nakamura, currently ranked second in the world, gained nine Elo points in the FIDE world rankings over the last two months by scoring 11 points from 11 games in weaker tournaments; his strongest opponent had an Elo rating of 2250. Each win earned him 0.8 Elo points. However, following a rule change by FIDE, such Elo gains will no longer be possible from 1 October. Previously, when calculating Elo ratings for players with 2650+ points, a maximum difference of 400 points from the opponent's rating was assumed. For example, for a player with 2750 points, all opponents, regardless of their actual strength, were assumed to have a minimum rating of 2350. According to the new rule, the actual Elo rating difference now counts.
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FIDE press release

FIDE Council approves targeted amendment to Rating Regulation

The FIDE Council has approved the amendments to the Rating Regulations, effective as of 1st of October, following the proposal from the Qualification Commission.

The amendment is designed to ensure the fairness and integrity of the FIDE rating system and provide a level-playing field for all top-rated players. The change will apply to players rated 2650 and above and will affect approximately 70 top-rated Grandmasters.

The amendment addresses the application of the 400-point rule. The rule stated that a difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as it were a difference of 400 points. There are no restrictions of how many times it can be applied during a single tournament.

The current wording in FIDE Rating Regulations will change to include the following, given here in bold:

 "8.3.1 For each game played against a rated player, determine the difference in rating between the player and their opponent, D.

A difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as though it were a difference of 400 points, for players rated below 2650. For players rated 2650 and above, the difference between ratings shall be used in all cases."

The accuracy of ratings and competitive fairness are paramount for chess.

This amendment ensures that rating adjustments at the highest level accurately reflect a player’s performance against a pool of statistically equal opponents, safeguarding professional standards set by FIDE.

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