Tournaments & Competition

How ELO Ratings Work in HEMA

By HILT Official · Jan 15, 2026 · 7 min read

The chess-derived rating system adapted for swordfighting: how it works, what it means, and why it matters.

A Number for Your Sword Skill The ELO system was invented by physicist Arpad Elo in the 1960s to rate chess players. The basic idea: every player has a numeric rating, and when two players compete, the winner gains points and the loser loses points. How many points change hands depends on the difference in their ratings. Beating a much higher-rated opponent earns you more points than beating someone ranked below you. HEMA has adopted ELO ratings (with some modifications) as a way to track competitive performance over time. Several national and international rating systems now exist, and…

Continue reading

HEMA Tournament Formats Explained Swiss system, round robin, pools to elimination: what each format is good for and when to use it.
Preparing for Your First HEMA Tournament Everything you need to know before stepping into the ring, from gear checks to managing competition nerves.
Running a Tournament: The Organizer's Checklist Everything that can go wrong at a HEMA event, and how to prevent it, from venue logistics to referee coordination.

← All HILT Resources