How to Get a FIDE ID for Chess Tournaments

World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen’s FIDE profile with his FIDE ID shown.

1. Do I need a FIDE ID to take part in chess tournaments? Yes. all players need to have a FIDE ID to register and participate in rated chess tournaments, including the Chess.sg Rapid Championship. 

2. What is a FIDE ID? A FIDE ID is your individual number (just like a passport number, but for chess). It's assigned by FIDE once, and is linked to your chess profile. It allows you to participate in chess tournaments in Singapore and around the world. Once you have your FIDE ID, you will be “unrated” until you have drawn or won five games against rated players, after which you will obtain a rating (e.g. 1400). This rating represents your chess strength will go up or down as you win or lose games against other rated players. Once you have a FIDE ID you may access your profile here.

3. Where can I apply for a FIDE ID? You must apply for a FIDE ID at the chess federation of your home country.

1. Singaporeans/PRs: Apply at singaporechess.org.sg/product/application-for-fide-id/ for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents only. For employment pass holders etc., please apply at the participant’s country of citizenship. Estimated processing time is 1-3 days.

2. India: Register at https://prs.aicf.in/new-register 

3. Austria: Fill out the PDF form at https://www.chess.at/schachbund/meldewesen.html

4. France: You must join a club and get a licence via that club.

5. Germany: Send an email to https://www.schachbund.de/fide-identifikationsnummer.html

6. Netherlands: Send an email to kstolk@schaakbond.nl with full name, date of birth, and KNSB relation number (or mention that you don't have one), as laid out on https://schaakbond.nl/rating/fide-rating/.

7. Switzerland: Send an email with full name and date of birth to elo@swisschess.ch

8. United States: Fill out the form at https://forms.gle/fCCTis7WgtJEb2rv6 

9. Other countries: If you cannot find your country in the list below, contact the FIDE rating officer listed in https://fide.com/directory/member-federations, and ask them how to apply. You will have to state your full name, sex (male or female for FIDE), as well as date of birth.

10. Alternative route (more expensive): Purchase a 1-month pro membership at https://chessarena.com/ for €6. You will obtain a unlicensed FIDE ID. Then, visit your FIDE profile and purchase the license for €60/year. This method is costly and thus only recommended if you are unable to obtain a FIDE ID through your chess federation (e.g. unresponsive).

4. How long does it take for me to obtain a FIDE ID? The speed of obtaining a FIDE ID differs from country to country. In Singapore, it can be processed on the same day, and usually within 1-3 days. If you would like to reserve your spot in the tournament while you apply for your FIDE ID, please drop us a Whatsapp message with the full name of the participant and we will reserve a slot for you for 1 week.

5. I understand now, what do I do next? It’s simple. (1) Apply for a FIDE ID (2) Once received, register for the tournament (3) Turn up and compete!