# Division Play Let's be frank: not everyone can practice chess for 8 hours daily, and some people will be better than you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a player, rank up, compete, and earn some loot. Our skill-ranking AI algorithm analyses your stats to place you into a division with similar skill-level players. When registering, based on their current known rating\* or select unranked if unknown.
Skill LevelEloDivisionDescription
UnratedUnknownRookieNew players start here and remain until they have completed 30 games
Beginner<1200RookieFor players who are new to chess or have limited experience.
Intermediate1200 - 1599ContenderFor players with a moderate understanding of chess principles and some playing experience.
Advanced1600 - 1999ProFor seasoned players aiming to reach the expert level.
Pro2000 - 2199ProFor highly skilled players
Master2200 - 2399MasterFor top-tier players who have surpassed the pro level.
Elite2400+EliteFor the highest level of competitive play, encompassing International Masters, Grandmasters, and above.
{% hint style="success" %} After you have played 30 games of each mode, you are allocated to a grade from the open ladder and can start competing in tournaments. The more games played, the better our AI will get at assigning community ranking. {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} Before participating in any game type within a tournament—be it Blitz, Bullet, or Rapid—it is mandatory for players to complete 30 placement games in that specific game type. If a tournament encompasses multiple game types and you haven't completed your placement games for each type, you will be ineligible to participate. {% endhint %} ### Rookie Division
DivisionElo
Platinum1000-1199
Gold 800-999
Jade 600-799
Emerald 400-599
Sapphire <399
### Contender Division
DivisionElo
Diamond1400-1599
Ruby1200-1399
### Pro
DivisionElo
Pro1800-1999
Advanced1600-1799
### Master
DivisionElo
Pro2000 -2399
### Elite
DivisionElo
Pro2400+
#### Open and Female Divisions Divisions are based on FIDE regulations: * **Open Division:** The Open Division is open to all players, regardless of gender * **Female Division:** The Female Division is exclusively for female players, offering a competitive environment specifically designed to encourage women's participation in chess. ## Checkmate Zones Checkmate has the following main zones: 1. Global 2. AO: Asia and Oceania 3. EAS: Europe and Southern Africa 4. MENAT: Middle East, North Africa + Turkey 5. AM: Americas {% hint style="success" %} When you register, ensure you use the country where you hold a driver's licence or passport. You can play anywhere, anytime; players from all countries are welcome. {% endhint %} FIDE Zones FIDE Zones will be used in the competitive mode for all official Asian Chess Federation and partner events. **National and Regional Zones** Our real-time tournament system allows new zones to be set up as required. ### Fair play: Sandbagging Please note that sandbagging is an offence on Checkmate, Suspect cases will be automatically tagged and accounts monitored. Players found intentionally lowering their rating risk immediate disqualification from tournaments and a ban. We urge all participants to play to the best of their ability when competing against other players in ladders and tournaments. In addition to real-time monitoring historic integrity sweeps will be undertaken regularly by our Fairplay team and anti-cheat. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://playbook.checkmate.live/gameplay-and-features/ladders-and-tournaments/division-play.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.