Skip to main content
All CollectionsGameplay
How does matchmaking work in Live Chess?
How does matchmaking work in Live Chess?

Learn about how the matchmaking system works on Chess.com and what affects who you’re paired with in Live games.

Updated yesterday

How matchmaking works on Chess.com

When you start searching for a game, the system begins by looking for opponents within a narrow rating range (±25 points). If no one is available right away, it gradually widens the range—first to ±50, and so on—to avoid long wait times.

We avoid pairing players who are too far apart in rating, as this often leads to unbalanced games where one player has little to gain and the other has little to lose.

Check out this article to learn more about how ratings work: How do ratings work on Chess.com?

How do you find the right opponent for me?

Our system aims to pair you fairly and quickly, using several key factors to determine who you’ll be matched with:

  • Strict rating limits: If you're rated below 2500 in Bullet or Blitz, or below 2000 in Rapid, by default you'll only be paired with players within ±200 rating points of your own rating.

  • Time control matching: You’ll only be paired with players who are looking to play the same time control.

  • Rating proximity: The closer your opponent’s rating is to yours, the faster you’ll be paired.

  • Expanding the search: If no suitable opponent is found right away, the system gradually expands the rating range until a fair match is found.

  • Fair play: Accounts flagged for potential fair play violations (such as frequently aborting games, stalling, rage quitting, or sandbagging) may be placed in separate matchmaking pools

  • Min/Max opponent rating: Choosing a narrow rating range (like ±25 points) ensures a closer match in skill but may lead to longer wait times.

  • Rated vs. Unrated: While matchmaking works the same way for both, unrated games are less common, so it may take longer to find an opponent.

  • Color preference: In unrated games, if you specify a color preference, we take it into account during matchmaking.

  • Open challenges: While most seeks are matched fully by our system, some get picked up manually by other players in the Open Challenges section. Your game request shows up on the board automatically. Most challenges that you’ll see on the board are for less popular time controls and unrated games.

What happens after I get matched?

Once you’re paired with an opponent, a few behind-the-scenes steps help ensure the best possible playing experience:

  • Server selection: Our system selects the server that will work best for both players based on where they're connecting from. This ensures that the game runs smoothly, with minimal latency, and a better overall experience.

  • Color assignment: After matchmaking, we decide who plays as white or black. We make sure you don’t get stuck playing too many games in a row as either White or Black, keeping things fair and balanced.


Most popular time controls and matchmaking speeds

Different rating ranges have distinct preferences when it comes to time controls. Here are some insights based on recent data:

Rating range

Most popular time controls

Avg. Matchmaking time

<1200

  • 10 min (43%)

  • 3 min (15%)

  • 5 min (14%)

  • 1 min (13%)

  • 3|2 (4.5%)

  • 1|1 (3%)

  • 2|1 (2.5%)

  • 15|10 (2%)

  • 30 min (1.5%)

  • From below 0.5s for 10 min

  • To 2s for 30 min

1200-1800

  • 10 min (35%)

  • 3 min (20%)

  • 1 min (15%)

  • 5 min (14%)

  • 3|2 (6%)

  • 1|1 (3.5%)

  • 2|1 (3%)

  • 15|10 (1%)

  • From 1s for 10 min

  • To 4s for 15|10

1800-2400

  • 10 min (27%)

  • 3 min (26%)

  • 1 min (24%)

  • 5 min (12%)

  • 3|2 (6%)

  • 1|1 (2%)

  • 2|1 (2%)

  • From 2s for 10 min

  • To 7s for 2|1

2400+

  • 3 min (54%)

  • 1 min (40%)

  • 3|2 (3%)

  • 10 min (1%)

  • From 9s for 3 min

  • To 55s for 10 min

This data highlights how lower-rated players favor longer time controls, while higher-rated players prefer faster games.

The higher the rating, the longer the matchmaking wait, as there are fewer players available in the pool.


Why are some games aborted? How is player behavior tracked?

While aborted games can be frustrating, they usually happen for a few common reasons:

  • The player joined the wrong time control by mistake.

  • They were hoping for a specific type of opponent (e.g., closer to their rating).

  • They lost connection before the game could begin.

  • They may be attempting to manipulate their rating—our Fair Play system monitors and takes action when this occurs.

To promote fairness, we track certain types of behavior that can negatively impact the playing experience. This includes:

Accounts that show repeated patterns of this behavior may be temporarily placed in a separate matchmaking pool with others showing similar activity. Once improved behavior is detected, they'll be returned to the main pool.

If you’re frequently aborting games to avoid suspected cheaters, it could actually increase your chances of being matched with flagged accounts. Our system may interpret this as unsportsmanlike behavior, which can affect who you're paired with.


Matchmaking myths: What’s not really happening

There are a lot of misconceptions about how matchmaking works. Let’s clear up some of the most common ones:

Myth

Fact

Premium members get easier opponents

Premium members use the same matchmaking logic as free users.

I keep getting paired against the same opening

Just coincidence. Matchmaking does not consider openings when pairing players.

High-rated players are punished with unfair matchups

False. The system matches players based on rating. If you're high-rated, there are simply fewer people near your level—so pairings may take longer.

Titled players are preferentially matched with each other over untitled members

False. While some top players prefer to send direct challenges rather than use the matchmaking pool, when they do use it, they are paired with other titled players or users who exhibit good sportsmanship. Titled players do not receive preferential treatment in matchmaking over similarly rated untitled members.

Restarting seeks makes my pairing faster

Not true. If you're not matched right away, it simply means there isn’t anyone in your pool currently looking to play the same game.

Restarting your seek won’t speed up the process; in fact, it lowers your chances of being matched quickly. When selecting candidates, if multiple players are equally good matches, we prioritize the one who has been waiting the longest in the queue.

Chess.com makes my games harder after a winning streak

False. Matchmaking is based solely on your rating—there are no hidden modifiers or 'shadow ratings.' Winning streaks raise your rating, which naturally pairs you with stronger opponents. Similarly, losing lowers your rating, matching you with slightly weaker players until it balances out.

I am only being matched against players from a specific country

Matchmaking doesn’t factor in country. However, due to time zones, you’re more likely to be paired with players who are online at the same time as you.

For example, players in Asia are more likely to be matched with other players in nearby time zones, simply because they’re online at the same time—not because of any geographic preference in matchmaking.

Did this answer your question?