If you play chess online, you’ve almost certainly seen this number after every game: accuracy percentage.
70%.
75%.
82%.
And sooner or later, the question pops up in every player’s mind:
“Is 70% accuracy actually good in chess?”
The short answer: Yes—at some levels. No—at others.
The long answer is where real improvement begins.
As a coach who has analyzed thousands of games over two decades, I can tell you this: accuracy is a useful metric—but it’s often misunderstood. Let’s break it down properly.
What Does Accuracy Mean in Chess?
Chess accuracy is a comparison between your moves and the best moves suggested by a chess engine.
- Engine-approved moves → increase accuracy
- Inaccurate moves → reduce it
- Blunders → destroy it
The closer your decisions are to engine recommendations, the higher your percentage.
Top grandmaster games often show 85–95% accuracy, not because grandmasters never make mistakes—but because:
- They know theory
- They avoid simple tactical errors
- They respond correctly to opponent inaccuracies
The Role of Theory in High Accuracy
In many positions, especially openings, only a small set of moves are considered correct. These are theory moves—tested, evaluated, and refined over decades (and now reinforced by engines).
That’s why:
- Opening preparation alone can boost accuracy by 10–15%
- Elite games look “clean” statistically
Once you step outside theory, accuracy depends on your ability to:
- Identify plans
- Spot tactics
- Punish opponent mistakes
And that’s where accuracy starts to drop for most players.
Is 70% Accuracy Good? It Depends on Your Rating
Here’s a realistic, experience-based guideline:
Chess Accuracy by Rating (General Benchmark)
- Below 700 Elo: 50–60%
- 700–999 Elo: 60–70%
- 1000–1499 Elo: 70–80% → 70% is solid
- 1500–1999 Elo: 80–85% → 70% is below average
- 2000+ Elo: 82–90%+ → precision is mandatory
So yes—70% accuracy is good if you’re a beginner or improving club player. It shows:
- You’re not hanging pieces regularly
- You understand basic principles
- You’re making reasonable decisions
But at higher levels, 70% means missed opportunities.
What 70% Accuracy Actually Tells You
If your games average around 70%, it usually means:
✔️ You’re avoiding obvious blunders
✔️ You understand opening basics
✔️ You can handle simple tactics
But it also means:
❌ You miss multi-move combinations
❌ You fail to punish subtle mistakes
❌ You struggle when positions become complex
Early on, opponents may hang a piece in one move. Later, they don’t.
Instead, the advantage comes from a 4–5 move tactical sequence—and that’s where accuracy often dips.
Why Accuracy Drops as You Improve
This sounds strange, but many players experience lower accuracy as they get stronger.
Why?
Because:
- Games become sharper
- Opponents make fewer obvious mistakes
- Winning requires deeper calculation
You’re no longer spotting hanging queens.
You’re asked to find precise continuations under pressure.
That’s not failure—that’s growth.
Accuracy vs Improvement: What Really Matters
Chasing accuracy alone is a trap.
Instead, focus on:
- Eliminating recurring blunders
- Improving tactical vision
- Understanding why a move works, not just that it does
When these fundamentals improve, accuracy rises naturally—and so does your rating.
How to Increase Accuracy the Right Way
Here’s what actually works:
♟️ 1. Learn Core Opening Principles
You don’t need deep theory—just solid setups and common traps.
♟️ 2. Train Tactical Patterns Daily
Most inaccuracies come from missed tactics, not bad plans.
♟️ 3. Review Mistakes, Not Just Moves
Ask: What pattern did I miss? Fork? Pin? Overloaded piece?
♟️ 4. Play Fewer Games, But Analyze Them Properly
Quality beats quantity every time.
This is exactly how strong players train—and how accuracy climbs sustainably.
Start Fixing Your Accuracy at the Foundation Level
If you’re stuck around 65–75% accuracy, the solution is not more blitz games—it’s better fundamentals.
That’s why we created a Free Basic Chess Training Video series for improving players.
🎯 Inside, you’ll learn:
- How to stop one-move blunders
- How to spot tactics earlier
- How to punish common mistakes
- How strong players think differently
👉 Access it free here:
🔗 https://hirechess.com/free-basic-chess-training-videos/
No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real chess improvement.
Final Verdict: Is 70% Accuracy Good in Chess?
✔️ Yes, for beginners and intermediates—it’s a healthy base
❌ No, if you want to compete with stronger players
Accuracy is not a trophy.
It’s a diagnostic tool.
Use it wisely, train the right way, and the numbers will follow.
♟️ Your next jump in accuracy—and rating—starts with the basics.