15 October 2026

Subject to ongoing research and checking - E&OE

New ratings and old gradings

For many years the English Chess Federation (and its predecessor, the British Chess Federation) used a domestic grading system in which players were assigned three-digit grades, typically ranging from under 100 for beginners to over 200 for the strongest players. Grades were recalculated annually and later monthly from results in eligible competitions and provided a simple measure of playing strength within Britain and later England.

In 2020 the ECF replaced its traditional grading system with the internationally recognised Elo rating system used by FIDE. Elo ratings use larger numerical values, with most club players rated between about 1200 and 2000, and leading players considerably higher. The change brought English ratings into line with international practice, making ratings easier to understand and compare across different countries and events.

The former ECF grading and current Elo rating scales use different numerical ranges. When the English Chess Federation adopted Elo ratings in 2020, the official conversion formula was Rating = (7.5 × Grade) + 700. Thus a grade of 100 corresponded to a rating of 1450, and a grade of 200 to a rating of 2200. Historical records are therefore shown using the grading system in force at the time, with pre-2020 achievements recorded as grades and later achievements as Elo ratings. [rating.eng...ess.org.uk], [rating.eng...ess.org.uk]

The distinction between the two systems is especially significant in the ECF and SCCU County Championships, where eligibility for individual sections and prizes has long been determined by players' grades or ratings.

No competitions held

1939-45, 1915-19

Open competitions (not limited by ratings or grades)

First tier

Open (1908-)

2023, 2012, 1989, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1980, 1979, 1965, 1964, 1963, 1956, 1955, 1953, 1950, 1949, 1947, 1937, 1936, 1934, 1932, 1931, 1928, 1927, 1925, 1914, 1913, 1910, 1909, 1908

According to 100-Years-of-the-Counties-Championship-1.pdf by Anthony Fulton, Middlesex had by 2019 won the ECF County Championships 29 times, its first win being in 1908 and its last in 2012. Since the publication of that paper Middlesex won the Championships in 2023, bringing its total wins to 30 as of 2026.

Middlesex was runner-up in 2008 (and possibly in earlier years - a full record has not surfaced so far).

Minor (1981-)

1994, 1998*

*Check if Open.

Note. Middlesex was runner-up in 2010 (and possibly in earlier years - a full record has not surfaced so far).

Elo-rated competitions (from September 2020)

Under 1850 (2020-)

2025, 2023, 2022, 2021*

*Check LMS.

ECF/BCF-graded competitions (until September 2020)

Under 180 (2010-2019)

2015, 2012

Under 175 (1993-2009)

2007

2nd Team (1982-1992)

1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1985, 1984, 1983

Under 160 (2010-2019)

2018, 2019*, 2016

*Check LMS, but 2019 ACM draft minutes report Keith Jones's team as winning SCCU championship, and reference to "Double success" implies also the ECF title.

Under 150 (1993-2009)

1993

3rd Team (1987-1992)

1992