New Puzzle ratings on Chess.com - October 2025
You may have noticed your Puzzle rating looks very different, and probably lower, than before. Donât worry, this isnât just a downgrade within the old system. Weâve introduced an entirely new rating system and re-rated every player and puzzle on Chess.com, processing about 17 billion attempts to ensure accuracy.
The old system caused major rating inflation, which made ratings less meaningful and harder to connect with actual playing or tactical strength. It also prevented us from accurately rating puzzles, which limited our ability to serve you puzzles that were the right level of challenging. For example, in the old system:
Every solved puzzle gave at least 5 points.
Partial credit was awarded for incomplete solutions.
Other features added points just for participation.
These changes made the system 'too generous,' leading to inflated ratings for both players and puzzles.
The new Puzzle ratings use the same Glicko-style rating logic as your chess games (blitz, rapid, etc.). By removing extra point boosts and preventing inflation, your Puzzle rating is now much closer to your other ratings, and puzzle difficulty is more consistent
Keep in mind that your skill hasnât changed! Itâs simply being measured with a better yardstick. Youâre just as strong a solver as before, but now your rating more accurately reflects your ability.
Puzzle difficulty
You can also adjust your puzzle difficulty to match how challenging you want them to be. The level is based on your Puzzle rating and affects how hard each puzzle feels to you.
Choosing a higher difficulty means youâll earn more rating points for solving correctly, but the puzzles will be tougher to solve.
Standard (default): Puzzles will be challenging, but you should get most of them right. Standard puzzles will be much easier than our old puzzles, but will definitely give your brain a great workout!
Hard: Offers tougher challenges than Standard.
Extra Hard: Similar to the old Puzzle system, for those who want maximum difficulty.
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How do I change my puzzle difficulty?
Web
On a Puzzle screen, click the cogwheel icon at the bottom left of the right sidebar.
In the settings modal, use the first dropdown to select your preferred difficulty.
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Mobile
On the Puzzle screen, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner.
Use the first dropdown in the settings modal to choose your difficulty level.
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Check out this article to read more about this change: New Puzzles Puzzle Ratings, Difficulty Settings, And More Consistent Experience
FAQs
My Puzzle rating suddenly dropped by 1,000+ points. Is it a bug?
My Puzzle rating suddenly dropped by 1,000+ points. Is it a bug?
Usually, no. In October 2025, Chess.com introduced a new Puzzle rating system and re-rated every player and puzzle. Many users saw a lower rating because the previous system had become inflated.
Will my Puzzle rating go back to what it was before?
Will my Puzzle rating go back to what it was before?
No. Your previous rating belonged to the old system and won't be restored. Your new rating will continue to adjust as you solve puzzles under the updated system.
Does my new Puzzle rating mean I got worse at chess or tactics?
Does my new Puzzle rating mean I got worse at chess or tactics?
No. Your skill hasn't changed. Only the rating system has. The new system more accurately reflects puzzle difficulty and aligns more closely with Chess.com's game ratings.
Why did everyone's Puzzle rating change, not just mine?
Why did everyone's Puzzle rating change, not just mine?
Chess.com re-rated every player and puzzle using data from approximately 17 billion puzzle attempts. The update affected the entire Puzzle rating system, not individual accounts.
Why did Chess.com change the Puzzle rating system?
Why did Chess.com change the Puzzle rating system?
The previous system had become inflated over time. Players always gained at least five points for solving a puzzle, could receive partial credit for incomplete solutions, and some features awarded points simply for participation. The new system provides more accurate ratings and more consistent puzzle difficulty.
Why is my Puzzle rating now closer to my Rapid or Blitz rating?
Why is my Puzzle rating now closer to my Rapid or Blitz rating?
The new Puzzle ratings use a Glicko-style system similar to Chess.com's game ratings. Removing artificial point boosts results in ratings that better reflect your playing strength.
Why am I getting easier puzzles than before?
Why am I getting easier puzzles than before?
The default Standard difficulty is designed to be challenging while still allowing you to solve most puzzles. If you prefer puzzles similar to the previous system, switch your difficulty to Hard or Extra Hard.
How do I make my puzzles harder?
How do I make my puzzles harder?
Open the Puzzle Settings using the gear icon and select a higher difficulty. Hard offers more challenging puzzles, while Extra Hard is the closest match to the previous Puzzle experience.
Why did I lose so many points for missing one puzzle?
Why did I lose so many points for missing one puzzle?
Puzzle rating changes depend on the difference between your rating and the puzzle's rating. Missing an easier puzzle can cost more points, while solving a much harder puzzle can earn more. You can change the Puzzle Difficulty setting to get harder puzzles and lose less rating when missing.
Why did I only gain a few points for solving a puzzle?
Why did I only gain a few points for solving a puzzle?
If the puzzle's rating is much lower than your own, you'll gain fewer rating points. Rating changes are based on the relative difficulty of each puzzle. You can change the Puzzle Difficulty setting to get harder puzzles and gain more rating when solving.