HELP GUIDE
Making the grade
English Chess Federation (ECF) grades are issued twice a year - for games played January-June and July-December. Points are allocated as follows: For a win, you score the opponent's grade, plus 50; for a draw, the opponent's grade, and, for a loss, the opponent's grade, minus 50. If your opponent's grade differs from yours by more than 40 points, it is assumed to be exactly 40 above (or below) yours. If an opponent is ungraded, a grade is estimated, using all available information. The total number of points you accumulate is divided by the number of games played.
English Chess Federation (ECF) grades are issued twice a year - for games played January-June and July-December. Points are allocated as follows: For a win, you score the opponent's grade, plus 50; for a draw, the opponent's grade, and, for a loss, the opponent's grade, minus 50. If your opponent's grade differs from yours by more than 40 points, it is assumed to be exactly 40 above (or below) yours. If an opponent is ungraded, a grade is estimated, using all available information. The total number of points you accumulate is divided by the number of games played.
Conversion rate
To work out your FIDE rating, use the following calculation: ECF x 7.5 + 700.
To work out your FIDE rating, use the following calculation: ECF x 7.5 + 700.
Mastering the game
Grandmaster (GM) - a FIDE grade of at least 2,500
International Master (IM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,400
FIDE Master (FM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,300 or more
Candidate Master (CM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,200
Grandmaster (GM) - a FIDE grade of at least 2,500
International Master (IM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,400
FIDE Master (FM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,300 or more
Candidate Master (CM) - a minimum FIDE rating of 2,200
