Thanks Chris.
And, your point on not worrying about the rating and just playing your best is
well taken. As in your hypothetically going up against Kasparov, I think I
fought a great game against Jeff Siebrant the one time I was set to play him.
He’s the highest rated player in the USBCA, by a wide margin. I went 33 moves
before losing to him, which I was quite proud of being able to do. I knew his
rating of course, but I tried to forget that and just play the best I could.
Considering our ratings difference, I think I did pretty well!
Evan
From: Chris Ross
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 4:23 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Question About the Tournament Chris Ross Is Playing
In
Evan,
A rating is an indication to how successful you have been throughout your chess
career. It is a marker of that success. Once the rating gets to a particular
level, you are awarded an achievement. In the chess world, that is a title of
some kind, whether that be Candidate Master (as I am ), FIDE Master (as Tyson
is), then International Master and finally Grandmaster.
In a crude sense, it is like a handicap in golf or a seed in tennis.
Cheers,
Chris
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Evan Reese
Sent: 25 July 2018 21:04
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Question About the Tournament Chris Ross Is Playing
In
Hi Chris,
Hmmm, okay, I recognize your greater knowledge and much greater experience. But
then I think it’s a reasonable question to ask: If ratings are of no
consequence or meaning, then why give them, or show them at all?
Evan
From: Chris Ross
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 3:46 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Re: Question About the Tournament Chris Ross Is Playing
In
Evan,
The points difference makes no difference at all. That is simply the players
rating. There is no rule to say how “fair” a match should be. After all, if I
came across Kasparov in a match, he would outrate me by a considerable amount,
but yet, I’d still give him a damn good go for his money.
Ratings are just that. A grade. No matter what you are, if you are pitted
against somebody, then, just get on with it and do your best!
Cheers,
Chris
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Evan Reese
Sent: 25 July 2018 20:42
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Question About the Tournament Chris Ross Is Playing In
Chris, or Anyone,
I’ve noticed in the results that you are posting, that some of the ratings of
the opponents seem pretty far apart. Just one example from the Round 5 posting
he just sent:
5 Ibrahim Dal (1621) 0-1 Paul Benson (1928)
That’s over 300 points. I’m wondering if there’s some rule that determines how
far apart ratings can be for a match to be considered fair. 300 points seems
pretty far apart to me. I know there are only so many players, so there’s a
limited number of opponents players can have, so I would imagine this has been
hashed out by now. I’m just wondering about that.
Thanks for any guidance.
Evan
