In a significant update to its rating regulations effective October 1, 2025, FIDE has eliminated the longstanding 400-point rule for players rated 2650 and above, capping the maximum rating difference considered in Elo calculations at 400 points to prevent “farming” gains from lopsided matchups against much lower-rated opponents; this change, proposed by the Qualification Commission and approved by the FIDE Council, affects roughly 70 top grandmasters and aims to promote fairer competitions among peers by minimizing points from wins against weaker players while heightening penalties for draws or losses in such games.
The reform was triggered by GM Hikaru Nakamura’s September strategy to qualify for the Candidates, where he secured nine Elo points via 11 straight wins in local U.S. state championships against opponents no higher than 2250 – described by FIDE CEO GM Emil Sutovsky as “no more farming” for top-100 level players. The reform will have no effect on similar attempts, as the Ding Liren’s quest to be eligible for Candidates Tournament
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29.09.2025 FIDE approves rating regulation change
The FIDE Council new regulation (official press release)
The FIDE Council has approved the amendments to the Rating Regulations, effective as of 1st of October, following the proposal from the Qualification Commission.
The amendment is designed to ensure the fairness and integrity of the FIDE rating system and provide a level-playing field for all top-rated players. The change will apply to players rated 2650 and above and will affect approximately 70 top-rated Grandmasters.
The amendment addresses the application of the 400-point rule. The rule stated that a difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as it were a difference of 400 points. There are no restrictions of how many times it can be applied during a single tournament.
The current wording in FIDE Rating Regulations will change to include the following, given here in bold:
“8.3.1 For each game played against a rated player, determine the difference in rating between the player and their opponent, D.
A difference in rating of more than 400 points shall be counted for rating purposes as though it were a difference of 400 points, for players rated below 2650. For players rated 2650 and above, the difference between ratings shall be used in all cases.”
The accuracy of ratings and competitive fairness are paramount for chess.
This amendment ensures that rating adjustments at the highest level accurately reflect a player’s performance against a pool of statistically equal opponents, safeguarding professional standards set by FIDE.
