How strong is it?

On Lichess, a 2200 rating in rapid is above about 98 of every 100 players. In one week, Lichess counts almost half a million rapid players. On Chess.com, your Stats page shows how many players out of 100 you are above. You did it, one game at a time. Every game was against a person, on the kid-safe account your grown-up set up.

Why two numbers?

Each site compares you only with its own players, so each crowd gives its own number. Lichess itself says the two numbers cannot be compared. That is why 2000 on Chess.com is about as hard to reach as 2200 on Lichess.

What established means

Established means the site is sure your number is right. That takes at least 20 rated games in one speed, rapid or blitz. Rapid games are fast, and blitz games are even faster. On Lichess, a question mark sits next to your rating until the site is sure. The 1200+ Rating sticker explains how a rating settles down. A ChessKid rating does not count for this sticker.

The last stretch

Near the top, points come slowly, but two habits help:

• Pick one speed, rapid or blitz, and stay with it.
• Stop after two losses in a row, because tired players make big mistakes.

How you get the sticker

Your grown-up or coach checks it and hands you the sticker. Show your profile page together: the rating, the speed, and how many games you played. If you have no club, your grown-up at home looks at the screen with you. Did you get there before you had the passport? It still counts. If your rating has dipped since, the sticker stays. You reached it for real, and it is yours.