As we step into a brand new year, we’d like to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year, May 2026 bring steady progress and confidence!
Before we dive into today’s topic, a quick note.
Over the past couple of newsletters, we opened up Ask a Grandmaster — a space for readers to send in their chess questions. GM Priyadharshan has already shared thoughtful answers to the first 2 batches, and we’re bringing them back here in case you missed them.
You can also drop in a new question below — we’ll be picking a few more to answer in the next edition.
👉 Ask a Grandmaster
If you’ve ever heard someone say “I’m 1200” or “That player is 2000+” and wondered what those numbers actually mean — you’re not alone.
Chess ratings can feel confusing at first.
But once you understand them, they become incredibly motivating.
What does a chess rating really tell you?
Think of your chess rating like a progress meter:
It shows how strong you are compared to others
It helps you play opponents at the right level
And most importantly — it lets you see your improvement over time
Just like grades in school or levels in a game, ratings give your chess journey structure.
ELO, FIDE, online ratings… what’s the difference?
Many parents and beginners ask:
We’ve broken all of this down — simply, with examples even a young beginner can understand. Read the full article
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