How close is Lichess rating to FIDE?

Answered by James Kissner

The Lichess rating system is not directly comparable to the FIDE rating system, but we can make some general observations about the relationship between the two.

Lichess and FIDE both use different algorithms and criteria to calculate ratings. Lichess uses the Glicko rating system, which takes into account factors such as the rating of opponents, the performance of the player, and the volatility of their ratings. FIDE, on the other hand, uses the Elo rating system, which considers only the outcome of the games and the ratings of the players involved.

Due to these differences, it is not possible to directly equate Lichess ratings to FIDE ratings. However, we can make some general comparisons based on anecdotal evidence and observations.

At higher ratings, such as around 2000, the difference between Lichess and FIDE ratings tends to be around 300 points. This means that a player with a Lichess rating of 2000 might have a FIDE rating of around 1700. The difference between the two ratings decreases as you go higher in the rating scale.

On the other hand, at lower ratings, the difference between Lichess and FIDE ratings can be more significant. For example, a Lichess rating of 1500 might correspond to a FIDE rating of around 1000. This is because the Lichess rating system is generally more inflated at lower levels, with players often having higher ratings compared to their FIDE counterparts.

It’s important to note that these are just general observations and individual experiences may vary. The relationship between Lichess and FIDE ratings can also depend on various factors, such as the player’s skill level, the number of games played, and the specific rating pool on Lichess.

While it is not possible to directly equate Lichess ratings to FIDE ratings, there is a general trend of a difference of around 300 points at higher ratings, which decreases as you go higher, and a larger difference at lower ratings.