Getting a chess licence in Savoie: A or B licence, prices and how to apply
Updated 18 October 2026 · Échecs en Savoie, independent guide
A chess licence is the document issued by the French Chess Federation (FFE) that lets you play in rated competitions. It must be taken out through a club. In 2026-2027, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes league, of which Savoie is part, an adult A licence costs €48 and an adult B licence €8, excluding the club subscription.
Chess licence: A or B, what is the difference?
A licence: the full competition licence. According to the FFE's internal regulations, it “entitles the holder to take part in any competition”: rated classical games, team leagues, championships, opens.
B licence: a cheaper recreational licence. It lets you play rapid and blitz tournaments, apart from certain federal competitions specified in the sporting regulations. You can switch from B to A during the season by paying the difference.
Both licences provide FFE insurance cover and voting rights in the governing bodies, according to the 2026-2027 affiliation procedure published by the federation.
| What you want to do | A licence | B licence |
|---|---|---|
| Play at the club, attend lessons | Yes | Yes |
| Blitz and rapid tournaments | Yes | Yes, except certain federal competitions |
| Classical tournaments (opens, Savoie championship) | Yes | No |
| Team leagues and federal championships | Yes | Depending on the competition's regulations |
| FFE insurance | Yes | Yes |
The price of a chess licence in 2026-2027
The price of a licence has three parts: the federal share (FFE), a share for the league and the departmental committee, then the club's own subscription. The league and committee share may not exceed the federal share.
| Category | A licence: FFE share | A licence: ARA league total | B licence: FFE share | B licence: ARA league total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (seniors, seniors plus, veterans) | 29 € | 48 € | 5 € | 8 € |
| U20 and U18 | 14 € | 26 € | 1,50 € | 3 € |
| U16 and under | 13 € | 19 € | 1,50 € | 3 € |
These amounts come from the 2026-2027 federal rates and the table of affiliation rates by league published by the FFE. The club subscription, which pays for the room, equipment and lessons, varies from club to club: it can be found on each club's website. This guide does not publish these subscriptions, which change every season.
Can you get a chess licence without a club?
No. The FFE's internal regulations state that the licence is issued “through and in the name of a single club”, and that only affiliated clubs can issue it. Even a player who does not want to attend any playing room must therefore join a club in order to play rated tournaments. Some clubs accept such “remote” members, who play the opens under their colours without coming to sessions.
How to get your licence in Savoie, step by step
- Choose an affiliated club: in Savoie, Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Albertville and Le Bois have licensed players this season. See our page on chess clubs in Savoie; for another region, the Palais des Échecs national chess club directory lists clubs by town.
- Choose your licence: A if you want to play classical games, B for leisure, rapid and blitz.
- Join the club: it registers the licence with the FFE and you receive a licence number.
- Check your record on the FFE website, in the players section: it shows your club, your licence and, later, your rating.
According to the FFE's internal regulations, the licence can be taken out at any time during the season; it runs until 31 August of the sporting season in which it was issued.
The governing bodies: Savoie committee and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes league
Your licence links you to three levels: your club, the “73 - Savoie” departmental committee, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes league. The committee organises the Savoie championship, played in Aix-les-Bains in 2026-2027, and the departmental youth competitions. The league organises regional competitions. See our tournament calendar.
The licence and the Elo rating
Elo rating: a number that measures a player's strength, calculated from results in rated games. It goes up when you beat players rated higher than expected and down in the opposite case. There is an FFE Elo and a FIDE Elo, and separate ratings for classical, rapid and blitz games.
To enter the rating list, all you need to do is play rated tournaments with your licence. To obtain a FIDE Elo, you must play FIDE-rated tournaments, such as the opens at La Plagne, Les Menuires or Annemasse, and play a minimum number of games against players who already have a rating, as set by the FIDE regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Is a licence compulsory to play chess?
No, for casual play, online or among friends. Yes, to take part in a competition rated by the FFE: a licence is then compulsory, A or B depending on the type of tournament.
How do I get an Elo rating?
By playing rated tournaments with an FFE licence. The results are sent to the federation, which calculates the rating. For a FIDE Elo, you must play FIDE-rated tournaments and a minimum number of games against rated players.
How do I register with FIDE?
A player does not register directly with FIDE: it is their national federation, the FFE for a French licence holder, that registers them when they play a FIDE-rated tournament. They then receive a FIDE ID.
How much does a chess licence cost?
In 2026-2027, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes league, the A licence costs €48 for an adult and €19 for a young person under 16; the B licence costs €8 for an adult and €3 for a young person. The club subscription is added to this.
Can you have a chess licence without a club?
No, the FFE issues licences only through an affiliated club. It is, however, possible to join a club without attending its sessions.