Inactive player

Under the rules of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, an inactive player is someone who has played no rated games during a one-year period. A rated game is one included in FIDE's official strength calculation, and the resulting rating is a numerical estimate of playing strength. Inactivity is an administrative status, not a penalty and not an automatic loss of rating points.

The number remains on record. The player becomes active again after playing at least one rated game in a rating period, the interval covered by one list update, and is shown as active on the next list. This differs from becoming unrated: if the number falls below 1400, the next list shows the player as unrated and then treats that player like any other unrated player.

Inactivity does not by itself prevent a return to competition. It signals that the published number has not been supported by recent play. It should not be confused with obtaining an initial rating or with a disciplinary suspension imposed by FIDE.