First FIDE Win?

You have won your first game in a FIDE-rated tournament.

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You have won your first game in a FIDE-rated tournament.

What is a FIDE win?

FIDE is the group that runs chess for the whole world. After the last round of a tournament, you look for your name on the results list. If you win even one game in a FIDE-rated tournament, FIDE writes it down. The Rated Event sticker tells you more about FIDE.

 

Three ways to win

Your first FIDE win can come in one of three ways:

  • You deliver checkmate on your opponent's king.
  • Your opponent resigns, which means they give up.
  • Their time runs out, and you still have enough pieces to checkmate.

Any FIDE-rated tournament counts: classical, rapid or blitz, slow chess or fast.

 

Where to find one

The Rated Event sticker shows how to find one, and what it is like. A FIDE-rated tournament says so on its notice, the page that tells you about the event. Many events for young players are FIDE-rated in rapid, which is a kind of fast chess. To find one, ask a grown-up who plays, or the grown-up who runs your group. When you find one, sign up early.

 

What if I lose every game?

Then you have still played a whole FIDE-rated tournament, and that earns the Rated Event sticker. A first win can take more than one tournament, and that is normal. Take the pieces nobody guards, and play on to the end. Each game you finish teaches you something for the next one.

 

How you get the sticker

Your grown-up or coach checks it and hands you the sticker. Show them the results list with your win on it, or your game on the rating site. If your opponent never came and the list gives you the win, that counts too. When you have no club, your grown-up at home checks the results list online. Did you win a FIDE-rated game before you had the passport? It still counts. Old results lists stay online, so you can still find yours.