Why Category Grading? Firstly, it's ideal for players starting out and looking to get valuable practice and experience without having to look at minor differences in rating which anyway greatly fluctuates with young players, and secondly, you get a benchmark with your peers at the same level and also a build-in incentive to get to the next level! We are happy to support other like minded organisers in doing this and will kick this off this initiative by hosting a monthly series from February 2019. Grading vs FIDE Rating Category 5: 0000-1200 Category 4: 1200-1400 Category 3: 1400-1600 Category 2: 1600-1800 Category 1: 1800-2000 To advance to a higher category, three norms are required and can be obtained by winning a category tournament or through scoring 80% in category tournament in a minimum of seven rounds.