Is Lichess rating easier than chess com?

Answered by Willie Powers

In my personal experience and based on discussions with other players, it seems that there is a rating difference between LiChess and Chess.com, with LiChess ratings generally being higher. This difference is particularly noticeable at the blitz time control, which typically has faster-paced games.

From what I’ve observed, the rating difference between LiChess and Chess.com at blitz is around 100 points, with Chess.com ratings being lower. This means that if a player has an Elo rating of 2000 on LiChess, they might have a rating of around 1900 on Chess.com. However, it’s important to note that this is a rough estimate and may vary depending on individual players and their specific strengths and weaknesses.

There are a few factors that could potentially contribute to this rating difference. Firstly, the rating systems used by LiChess and Chess.com may have slightly different algorithms and calculations. These variations can lead to some disparities in the assigned ratings for players of similar skill levels.

Secondly, the player pools on LiChess and Chess.com may have different levels of competitiveness and skill distribution. It is possible that the competition on one platform is generally stronger or weaker compared to the other, resulting in differences in rating inflation or deflation.

Additionally, the user interface and playing experience on each platform may also have an impact on player performance. Some players may feel more comfortable and perform better on one platform over the other, which can affect their rating outcomes.

It’s worth mentioning that the rating difference between LiChess and Chess.com is generally observed for players below around 2200 Elo. At higher levels of play, the rating discrepancies tend to diminish as player performance becomes more consistent and accurate measures of skill are established.

While there is a perceived rating difference between LiChess and Chess.com at blitz, it’s important to approach these ratings with caution and consider them as relative measures within each platform’s respective player pool. It’s always recommended to focus on personal improvement and growth as a player, rather than getting too caught up in rating comparisons across different platforms.