FIDE Online Arena - What is it and is it worth it?
At some point, we all have dreamed to attain a Chess title, we have (and still do) day dreamed the letters "GM" next to our names, and attain the fame and fortune many have accomplished through Chess - but frankly, that's a lot of work and time. In the mean time there is a good alternate for people rated 1100+.
What is FIDE Online Arena?
FIDE Online Arena is any ordinary Chess gaming platform like Lichess and Chess.com - but with a twist! On FIDE Online Arena you can normally play chess across the globe, but you can get your own title (Whaaaat?). FIDE Online Arena is a Chess platform supporting 2 types of Chess rating gameplay.
1. World Chess Rating (Free Version)
2. FOA Rated (Not So Free Version)
By playing FOA Rated you get a real ligitamate FIDE profile as well as a FOA Chess Title without leaving your couch.
What Are The Titles and How Do You Get Them?
FIDE Online Arena offers special online-exclusive titles. These aren’t quite the same as over-the-board (OTB) Grandmaster or IM titles, but they’re still pretty darn cool—and they’re officially recognized by FIDE.
Here’s the lineup:
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Arena Grandmaster (AGM)
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Arena International Master (AIM)
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Arena FIDE Master (AFM)
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Arena Candidate Master (ACM)
These titles are permanent once earned, and yes, you can add them to your chess bio! While they don't carry the same weight as traditional GM or IM titles, they're still a great way to show off your skills and commitment.
You can get the ACM title by maintaining 1100+
You can get the AFM title by maintaining 1400+
You can get the AIM title by maintaining 1700+
You can get the AGM title by maintaining 2000+
To get a title you have to maintain the rating for 50 rapid games, 100 blitz games or for 150 bullet games (not all of the time controls you can choose one to focus on.)
Why FOA?
The FOA is a step toward making chess titles more accessible, especially for players who can’t travel to international events or hire top-tier coaches.
It’s not just about status. It’s about giving more players around the world a real shot.
My Thoughts;
I think the FOA system is really cool and fun to use. As an Arena Candidate Master (and on my way to AFM—just 70 more blitz games to go!), it's a legit platform where you can show off your chess title and stay motivated on the journey to becoming a GM!
