Boost Your Chess.com Rating by Challenging Stronger Opponents
Dear Chess Friends!
I'm FM Viktor Neustroev. Over the years, I've helped several students improve their chess level, and today I'd want to share a strategic approach to assist you improve your rating on Chess.com. This is what I recommend doing to every student at our first lesson.
The Strategy: Play against higher-rated opponents
One efficient way to improve your rating is to regularly challenge players with higher ratings than you. When playing against stronger opponents:
- Minimal Losses: When you lose, you usually just lose a few rating points.
- Significant Gains: Whether you win or draw, you will gain a significant number of points.
This risk-reward balance makes it an effective rating enhancement approach.
Adjusting Your Challenge Settings
To implement this strategy effectively, enter your Chess.com settings and adjust your parameters for outgoing challenges to seek opponents with ratings ranging from -50 to +200 relative to your own.
Take a look at this screenshot if you don't understand which exact setting I'm talking about:
This range increases your chances of being paired with stronger players, providing more opportunities for significant rating gains. Of course, you can get paired with someone rated a little lower than you, but it's fine. It won't happen often, but allow you to win more games.
Watch this Approach in Action
I've created a video where I delve into this approach, illustrating how playing in the Titled Tuesday against higher-rated opponents has positively impacted my own statistics. You can watch the video here:
Implementing this approach can be a game-changer in your chess journey. Adjust your settings and start enjoying your growing rating! Remember, challenging stronger opponents not only offers rating benefits but also accelerates your learning and exposes you to diverse playing styles.
Please, take a look at this screenshot with my rating growth:
I win 36% and lose 56% of my games, but despite this huge number of losses I gained 161 rating point.
Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below.
If you're serious about improving your chess and want personalized guidance tailored to your strengths and weaknesses, consider starting lessons with a qualified chess coach. Feel free to message me directly here or on Chess.com to discuss your goals and arrange your first session.
Best regards,
FM Viktor Neustroev
