FIDE extends its rapid and blitz rating fee waiver through 2027
Published · By TG, the site operator
The FIDE Council has extended its waiver of rating fees for all rapid and blitz tournaments through 2027. FIDE announced the decision on Friday 23 October 2026. According to the announcement, it has been added to the FIDE Handbook and takes effect immediately. The stated aim is to widen player participation and promote chess.
What the rule says
Rating fees are a source of revenue for FIDE, and national federations cover them under the Financial Regulations of the FIDE Handbook. The waiver rests on a discretionary power in those regulations: the Council, in the words of the article, "at its sole discretion, may waive or reduce rating fees for Rapid and Blitz tournaments for a given year." The announcement is made in the name of the Council, and no individual is named.
What the article does and does not give
- Scope: all rapid and blitz tournaments through 2027.
- Cost so far: the total waived since the first waiver, which covered 2021 to 2024, is said to have approached 2 million euros. No figure is given for the new extension.
- Conditions: none are listed beyond the Council's discretion.
What it means on this site
Nothing here changes. This site does not give ratings. The rules guide says that the AI scoreboard belongs to this browser and that there is no global ranking or account sync. The FAQ explains that the computer levels are not published as ratings, because a rating only means something if it is measured against people who play rated games. The about page adds that the site is not affiliated with any chess federation.
If a rating matters to you, the rated events run by your own federation are the place to look, and their rules on fees and ratings are the ones that apply to you.
Practice on the site
Open the AI settings above the board and pick Easy, Normal or Hard. Play a short run of games on one level before you move up. Each win, loss and draw against the computer is recorded on the scoreboard in this browser, so you can follow your own results without any rating. Check the stalemate rule in the rules guide before you press on in a won ending, because a stalemate turns a win into a draw.
Sources
- FIDE extends fee waiver for Rapid and Blitz through 2027 — FIDE, 23 October 2026
- Chess rules: the complete guide for this board — chessplayonline.com
- Frequently asked questions — chessplayonline.com
- About this site — chessplayonline.com
Written by the operator of this site from the sources listed above. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected] and it will be corrected.