Chess.com and Lichess ratings: a guide for parents

If your child plays online, you've probably seen a few different rating numbers. This short guide explains what they mean and how to read them.

Why there are several ratings

Each site keeps a separate rating for each time control:

• Bullet — very fast games (a minute or two).
• Blitz — fast games (usually three to five minutes).
• Rapid — longer games (ten minutes or more).

Most coaches pay the most attention to rapid, because there's time to think, calculate and apply what was learned in class.

Why Chess.com and Lichess numbers differ

The two sites use different rating systems and different pools of players, so the same child can have noticeably different numbers on each. Neither is "right" — they simply aren't on the same scale. Compare a site with itself over time, not the two sites with each other.

Ups and downs are normal

A rating moves after every rated game. A bad afternoon can cost a few dozen points; a good week can win them back. Look at the trend over a month rather than the number after any single game.

A rising line with steady practice behind it is the best sign of improvement you can see.

Puzzles count too

Puzzle ratings measure tactical pattern recognition — spotting forks, pins and checkmates quickly. Regular puzzle practice usually shows up in game results a little later.

How to support your child

• Praise effort and consistency, not the rating number.
• Encourage a daily habit: one puzzle a day adds up.
• Ask about what they learned in their last game, win or lose.
• Keep sessions short and positive, especially for younger players.

Your academy's monthly report brings these pieces together, so you can see the rating trend, the practice behind it and the coach's feedback in one place.