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Inflated Rating Syndrome

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Submitted by BorgQueen on Mon, 05/04/2009 at 12:54am.

Does anyone else suffer from IRS?

Because of a streak of luck and some reasonably solid play, my rating has inflated to higher than where I think it should be. 

Is there something wrong with the rating system or am I just playing well at online chess... FAR better than my OTB game?   I think there might be something wrong with the rating system.

I am starting to think I should throw a few games to keep it in check?......

» posted in BorgBlog
| 154 reads | 8 comments
 

Comments:

by BorgQueen - 6 months ago
Adelaide Australia
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 4526

Yes, good point about the fatigue thing.  I must admit to struggling with that in my OTB games as well.  I currently take several breaks during a game, perhaps 2 minutes long to combat it.

by Cret1n - 6 months ago
Sydney Australia
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 536

By playing on line, we side step many problems encountered by OTB players, and hence obtain a higher rating than possible in OTB play. e.g opening knowledge & fatigue causing errors after several hours of play.

by BorgQueen - 6 months ago
Adelaide Australia
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 4526

Thanks for that UA :)

I too am trying to make a return to OTB chess and I also found that I had to be very mindful NOT to use things like the analysis board.  I started off here using it heavily, but found that during OTB play, without an analysis board, I was floundering trying to do it all mentally.  Now, after some time not using the AB, my OTB game has improved significantly, even though my online game is weaker.

I like your idea of logging in to get moves and then play them out on a real board to REALLY get the OTB feel going, but unfortunately, this might just cost me a little too much time... unless I have 20 boards to use... and then I would also worry whether I have the right position set up... just one thing on the wrong square and you could play an embarrassing move!

Openings references is another story.... well actually it's the same one, but I still use opening references in my online games and I shouldn't.  My openings are really bad without those references, so I'm now in the situation that, during an OTB game IF I survive the opening, I have good chances of victory... but still far too many times I stuff the opening completely and end up in hopeless positions after just 10 moves or so.

I really do wish I could get my openings to a point where I can at least get most of my games off to a good start. 

Anyway, yes, I know my rating is too high as I have an official rating (ACF) of around 1675 and here on chess.com, my rating is 2300+ ... which is bewildering to me! 

I'm off to an OTB tourney game tonight, the first rated one I've played in a very long time (and I am quite nervous!) ... I think it will be interesting to see if my ACF goes up or down over the coming months :p

by unixadmin - 6 months ago
ILLINOIS United States
Member Since: Apr 2009
Member Points: 28

Rating inflation bothers me also.  I got an account on this site to learn and relearn openings to return to OTB play in the USCF, after thousands of one minute games on ICC(which will not help my OTB return).  After entering my first 1600-1700 tournament on chess.com, winning most games and a few "Lets Play" games on time (which I still don't understand, unless my opponents had family emergencies, or are in war-torn countries), my rating shot up from 1600 to mid 1900.  I don't think that this is an accurate assessment of my rating(I don't think that I am USCF OTB 1946, maybe low 1900's at best ... but shooting for 2000).  Because of the rating inflation, I fear that my current games won't help my return to USCF OTB chess, which is ultimately why I came here.  I have sufficed with this plan:  Get my moves online, logoff, setup the position on my real life board, analyze, log back on and make the move, WITHOUT using the online analysis board(as I won't have this OTB, and its a great help online).  Most importantly, don't make my move online just because I have the "Its my move" showing ... actually put some thought into the move.  This way, if I win, lose or draw, at least I get OTB practice.

BTW, my last USCF OTB rating was 1637(years ago).  My USCF OTB high was 1843.

ua

by BorgQueen - 6 months ago
Adelaide Australia
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 4526

Dunno... ?

I guess I am just in shock of my lucky streak.  Most of my losses are in unrated games too ^^

You're right though, I should just keep playing... eventually the numbers will sort themselves out I guess.

by kco - 6 months ago
Perth Australia
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 6893

No !!! must keep going lol.....yeah it will eventualy end , but is won't be much, but why stop though ?

by BorgQueen - 6 months ago
Adelaide Australia
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 4526

Yeah, probably good advice.  My lucky streak must end sometime... right!? lol

by kco - 6 months ago
Perth Australia
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 6893

Don't throw in any of your games, maybe you are playing well. Just keep on playing mate.

 
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