# 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. 

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="153" align="center"></th><th width="132" align="center"></th><th width="145" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Skill Level</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Description</strong> </td></tr><tr><td align="center">Unrated</td><td align="center">Unknown</td><td align="center">Rookie</td><td align="center">New players start here and remain until they have completed 30 games</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Beginner</td><td align="center">&#x3C;1200</td><td align="center">Rookie</td><td align="center">For players who are new to chess or have limited experience.</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Intermediate</td><td align="center">1200 - 1599</td><td align="center">Contender</td><td align="center">For players with a moderate understanding of chess principles and some playing experience.</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Advanced</td><td align="center">1600 - 1999</td><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">For seasoned players aiming to reach the expert level.</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">2000 - 2199</td><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">For highly skilled players</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Master</td><td align="center">2200 - 2399</td><td align="center">Master</td><td align="center">For top-tier players who have surpassed the pro level.</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Elite</td><td align="center">2400+</td><td align="center">Elite</td><td align="center">For the highest level of competitive play, encompassing International Masters, Grandmasters, and above.</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% 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.&#x20;
{% 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&#x20;

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="199" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Platinum</td><td align="center">1000-1199</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Gold </td><td align="center">800-999</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Jade     </td><td align="center">600-799</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Emerald </td><td align="center">400-599 </td></tr><tr><td align="center">Sapphire  </td><td align="center">&#x3C;399 </td></tr></tbody></table>

### Contender Division

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="194.33333333333326" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Diamond</td><td align="center">1400-1599</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Ruby</td><td align="center">1200-1399</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Pro

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="201" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">1800-1999</td></tr><tr><td align="center">Advanced</td><td align="center">1600-1799</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Master&#x20;

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="201" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">2000 -2399</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Elite&#x20;

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="202" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Division</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Elo</strong></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Pro</td><td align="center">2400+</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### 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&#x20;

Checkmate has the following main zones:

1. Global&#x20;
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.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

FIDE Zones&#x20;

FIDE Zones will be used in the competitive mode for all official  Asian Chess Federation and partner events.

**National and Regional Zones**&#x20;

Our real-time tournament system allows new zones to be set up as required.

### Fair play: Sandbagging&#x20;

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.&#x20;