Ian Nepomniachtchi shared his thoughts on the FIDE rating system. Nepo believes that players are experiencing rating deflation. Ian reflects on what it would take to overtake Magnus Carlsen in the Rapid rating.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russia's No. 1

“[Question: How about overtaking Magnus in the Rapid rating?]

I’d love to. But for that to happen, he’d have to lose some rating, too, and not just me gaining it.

There’s just such a rating deflation going on right now. For example, I had a 2800 rating in Rapid a few years ago. It’s just that everyone’s rating is falling.

A year ago, my Rapid rating was 2762. I lost about 40 points in a year. Now I’ve gained 20, and I’m second in the world again.

Apparently, everyone has lost points.”

Ian Nepomniachtchi is World’s No. 2 in the Rapid rating with 2748 points. He’s 53 points behind Magnus Carlsen with a rating of 2801. The last time Nepo’s Rapid rating was above 2800 was in July 2022.

Credit: Anna Shtourman / FIDE