Explanation
A game point converts a into a number that can be added in the standings. Under the usual system, a win is worth 1 point, a draw gives each player 1/2 point, and a loss is worth 0.
Competition regulations may prescribe a different scale, such as one designed to reward wins more heavily. The value must therefore be read from the event rules rather than inferred solely from the result symbols.
A game point is not a piece's informal value, a rating point, or necessarily a team match point. Rating measures performance across games; tie-break methods order players who finish on equal scores; and a team event may separately count board points and match points.
Unplayed games need special care. They may create an administrative score in the tournament table, but that does not make them played games or automatically make them count for rating.
Common confusions
Rating point
Game points form the tournament score. Rating changes through a calculation based on results and the strength of opponents.
Match point
In team play, the overall match result may award points that are separate from the points scored on individual boards.
Sources
- 1.Glossary of Terms in the Laws of Chess, FIDE Rules Commission
- 2.FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2023, FIDE
- 3.FIDE Rating Regulations effective from 1 March 2024, FIDE
