Is 1700 a Good Chess Rating (ELO)? Here's What It Really Means
Quick Answer
A 1700 chess rating is very strong - you're in the top 5% on Chess.com, meaning only about 1 in 20 players reaches this level. This is roughly equivalent to 1800-1850 Lichess and about 1750-1850 FIDE. At this level you have serious chess skills: deep tactical vision, genuine strategic understanding, and solid endgame technique. You're well beyond 'good' and into 'strong' territory.
Your Rating in Context
A 1700 rating doesn't mean the same thing everywhere. Chess.com, Lichess, and FIDE all use different rating pools, so your percentile varies depending on the platform. Here's how 1700 stacks up on each:
Percentiles are approximate and based on Rapid ratings. Blitz and Bullet distributions differ slightly.
Where 1700 Sits on the Rating Scale
What 1700-Rated Players Look Like
You would be considered a strong player at virtually any chess club and could compete at regional tournament level. A typical 1700-rated player has been playing for about 3-5 years of serious study and competitive play. Here's what they can do and where they tend to struggle:
✅ Typical Skills
- Can calculate forcing lines accurately to 5+ moves
- Deep understanding of pawn structures and resulting middlegame plans
- Strong opening preparation with understanding of typical motifs
- Reliable endgame technique in most common positions
- Can evaluate complex positions and choose between competing plans
Common Struggles
- Difficulty handling positions with long-term strategic imbalances
- Occasional time management issues in critical positions
- Missing subtle defensive resources in opponent's position
- Struggling with positions that require patience rather than action
- Overconfidence against lower-rated opponents leading to sloppy play
1700 Rating Across Platforms
If you're 1700 on Chess.com Rapid, here's roughly what that translates to on other platforms:
| Rating System | Estimated Rating |
|---|---|
| FIDE | ~1633 |
| USCF | ~1718 |
| Chess.com Rapid(base) | ~1700 |
| Chess.com Blitz | ~1604 |
| Lichess Rapid | ~1804 |
| Lichess Blitz | ~1729 |
Rating conversions are approximate. Individual results vary based on playing style, time control, and player pool. Try our full ELO converter for more detailed conversions.
How to Improve from 1700 to 1900
Getting from 1700 to 1900 is achievable with the right focus. Here are the most effective ways to make that jump:
Study classical games deeply - focus on strategic masterpieces by Karpov, Petrosian, Capablanca
Work on improving your worst piece concept - always look for the least active piece and improve it
Deepen your endgame knowledge - study complex Rook endgames and minor piece endgames in detail
Improve your opening preparation to include more sidelines and transpositional tricks
Consider serious tournament play if you haven't - the competitive pressure reveals weaknesses to work on
Ready to Improve Your Rating?
The best way to improve is to play regularly and study your mistakes. Chess.com offers free puzzles, lessons, and game analysis to help you reach 1900 and beyond.
Start Improving on Chess.comRecommended Courses on Chessable
These courses are popular picks for players around 1700 rating. Chessable uses spaced repetition to help you actually retain what you study.