How ChessBit matches players — compatibility scores, calibrated starting ratings, verified rating imports, and stake caps while your rating settles.
ChessBit doesn't show raw ratings in the lobby. Each open game shows a compatibility percentage — how close a matchup this is for you, based on rating distance, mode, level band and how settled both ratings are. Both players see the same number.
Games you leave open widen their acceptable range a little every minute, so a fair opponent is found faster.
When you join, you tell us your level, and your rating seeds accordingly — from beginner to expert. Ratings are kept per mode (Bullet, Blitz, Rapid) and adjust from results; wins against stronger opposition move you more.
Played elsewhere? You can link a Lichess or Chess.com account by proving you own it (a token in your public profile). Accounts with enough rated history (50+ games, 90+ days old) import a conservative version of that rating — so you skip the "beat up beginners while calibrating" phase in both directions.
Until your rating is established, stakes are capped for everyone's protection:
| Rating source | Cap at the start | As it settles |
|---------------|------------------|---------------|
| Self-declared level | $25 | rises to $75, then lifts |
| Verified Lichess/Chess.com import | $50 | rises to $250, then lifts |
Once your rating is established, the only ceilings are your verification level's stake cap. If your play later drifts far below your established peak, a protective cap can apply again while things settle — this is anti-sandbagging protection, not a penalty.
- Open challenges — post a stake, time control and compatibility band to the lobby; anyone who fits can join. Expires after 10 minutes.
- Direct challenge — challenge a named player (one pending direct challenge at a time).
- Autojoin — set your preferences (stake range, time controls, compatibility) and get matched automatically as suitable games appear. An autojoin request stays live for 10 minutes.
- Followers only — restrict a challenge to players you follow.
Weekly public leaderboards (Monday–Sunday) rank most wins, most money won and longest win streak — with BTC prizes for the top 5 in each. You can opt out of public leaderboards in settings.
