If you want to participate in official tournaments in the chess world, compete on the international stage, and earn a FIDE ELO rating, the first step is to obtain a FIDE ID. In this guide, we explain step by step everything you need to know about the FIDE registration process, TSF athlete license application, participation in FIDE-rated tournaments, and initial rating.

What Is a FIDE ID?

A FIDE ID is a unique identification number assigned to every chess player by the World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). This number is used to track the player's tournament results, ELO rating, and international chess career.

The FIDE ID format usually includes the country code. For example, for Turkish players, FIDE IDs start with 63 (example: 6300014). This number never changes throughout life and serves as the player's international chess passport.

Why Is a FIDE ID Necessary?

• Participation in FIDE-rated tournaments: A FIDE ID is mandatory to play in tournaments with international validity.
• Earning an ELO rating: You can obtain a FIDE ELO rating in standard, rapid, and blitz categories.
• Title application: A FIDE ID is required to apply for FIDE titles such as GM, IM, FM, and CM.
• International recognition: You obtain a chess identity valid all over the world.
• Career tracking: All your tournament results and rating history are collected in a single profile.

Requirements for Obtaining a FIDE ID

There is no age limit for obtaining a FIDE ID. A 5-year-old child or a 75-year-old retiree can also get a FIDE ID. The basic requirements are as follows:

• Turkey Chess Federation (TSF) athlete license: You must have an active TSF athlete license. You can apply for the license through tsf.org.tr or via the e-Government system.
• Identity information: First name, last name, date of birth, gender, nationality information.
• Photograph: A recent passport-style photo may be required.

Note: Becoming a member of a chess club is not mandatory to obtain a FIDE ID. You can get a TSF license and participate individually in FIDE-rated tournaments without club membership. However, joining a club may be beneficial for tournament tracking and development.

Methods for Obtaining a FIDE ID in Turkey

Method 1: Application Through TSF (Most Common)

For players in Turkey, the most common way is to apply through the Turkey Chess Federation:

1. Obtain a TSF athlete license: Apply for an athlete license through tsf.org.tr or via e-Government.
2. Participate in a FIDE-rated tournament: Register for one of the FIDE-rated tournaments on the TSF calendar. For this, you do not need to be a member of a club; individual participation is also possible.
3. The FIDE registration process starts automatically: When you participate in your first FIDE-rated tournament, the tournament arbiter/organizer creates a FIDE ID registration for you and starts your FIDE registration process.

Method 2: Automatic Through Tournament Participation

In many cases, your FIDE ID is created automatically when you participate in a FIDE-rated tournament for the first time. When the chief arbiter submits the participant list to FIDE, a new registration request is made for players who do not have a FIDE ID.

Method 3: Direct Application Through a Club

Some large chess clubs can apply directly to FIDE on behalf of their members. In this case:

1. Submit your FIDE ID request to your club.
2. The club forwards your required information to the federation.
3. The federation registers you with FIDE.
4. Your FIDE ID becomes active within a few weeks.

How Long Does the Application Process Take?

The time required to create a FIDE ID varies depending on the situation:

• Through a tournament: It usually becomes active within 1-4 weeks after the tournament results are sent to FIDE.
• Direct application: Applications made through the federation may take 2-6 weeks.
• FIDE rating update: FIDE ratings are updated on the 1st of every month. If your tournament results do not make it into the next update cycle, they will be reflected the following month.

FIDE ID Application Fees

There is generally no fee paid directly to FIDE for FIDE ID registration. However, some costs may apply:

• TSF athlete license fee: The annual TSF athlete license fee varies. You can apply through the TSF website or via e-Government. Consult TSF for current fees.
• Club membership fee: Varies by club; some clubs offer free membership.
• Tournament entry fee: Entry fees for FIDE-rated tournaments vary depending on the tournament.

After obtaining a FIDE ID and playing a sufficient number of FIDE-rated games, you earn a FIDE ELO rating. Here are the FIDE title levels:

Note: Having the ELO rating alone is not enough to obtain these titles. For the GM and IM titles, you must also achieve a certain number of norms (performance norms).

K-Factor: Rating Change Speed

The FIDE ELO system uses a multiplier called the K-factor. The higher the K-factor, the more your rating changes after each game:

• K=40: (a) Players newly added to the rating list, until they complete at least 30 games (regardless of age). (b) Players under 18 years old, as long as their rating remains below 2300.
• K=20: Players whose ratings remain below 2400 (after the K=40 period ends).
• K=10: Players who have reached 2400 in their published rating at least once. Even if the rating later falls below 2400, it remains K=10.

Thanks to this system, the ratings of new and young players can rise (or fall) more quickly, while the ratings of experienced players remain more stable.

What Should You Do After Getting a FIDE ID?

1. Check your profile: View your FIDE profile by searching for your name at ratings.fide.com.
2. Verify your information: Make sure your first name, last name, date of birth, and country information are correct.
3. Participate in tournaments: Build your ELO rating by regularly participating in FIDE-rated tournaments.
4. Track your rating: Follow your current rating by querying your FIDE ID on fideidsorgulama.com.
5. Set a goal: Set a target ELO rating for the next title level.

FIDE ID for Children

There is no minimum age limit for applying for a FIDE ID for children. Getting a FIDE ID at a young age is advantageous because:

• K=40 advantage: Players under 18 have the highest K-factor, allowing their ratings to increase quickly.
• Early career tracking: Their entire tournament history is recorded.
• Age category tournaments: They can participate in international tournaments in categories such as U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18.
• Motivation: Having an official FIDE ID is a great source of motivation for children.

Parents can start the FIDE ID process for their children by applying to the nearest chess club.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I forgot my FIDE ID number, how can I find it?

You can easily find your FIDE ID by entering your first name and last name at fideidsorgulama.com. Alternatively, you can also search via ratings.fide.com.

Does a FIDE ID change or get lost?

No, a FIDE ID is valid for life and does not change. Even if you do not participate in tournaments for a long time, your FIDE ID remains active, but your rating may be marked as "inactive".

Can I participate in a tournament without a FIDE ID?

Yes, you can participate in many national-level tournaments without a FIDE ID. However, a FIDE ID is mandatory for FIDE-rated tournaments. Your FIDE ID may be created automatically at your first tournament.

Does my online chess (Chess.com, Lichess) rating count toward FIDE?

No. The ratings on online chess platforms and the FIDE ELO rating are completely different systems. A FIDE rating is earned only through over-the-board tournaments. However, FIDE's own online tournaments may create some exceptions.

How many games do I need to play to get a FIDE rating?

To get your first FIDE rating (initial rating), you need to play at least 5 FIDE-rated games and score at least half a point in at least one of those games (a win or a draw). It is also important that your opponents have FIDE ratings. Your initial rating is calculated based on your performance in these games.

What happens to my FIDE ID if I move to another country?

Your FIDE ID remains the same, but you need to complete a federation transfer. This process depends on the agreement between your old and new federation and usually involves a certain waiting period.

There is an error in my FIDE ID information, how can I correct it?

You can submit a correction request to the Turkish Chess Federation (TSF). TSF forwards the correction to FIDE.

Conclusion

Getting a FIDE ID is one of the most important steps you will take in your chess career. The FIDE registration process is quite easy in Turkey: obtain a TSF athlete license and participate in a FIDE-rated tournament. The remaining procedures are usually handled by the tournament organizer and the federation. After your first tournament, your initial rating is calculated and your chess career officially begins.

After getting your FIDE ID, you can track your rating, monitor your progress, and check your advancement toward your goals via fideidsorgulama.com.

This guide is up to date as of 2026. TSF and FIDE rules may change from time to time, so we recommend checking the official websites of TSF and FIDE for the most current information.