Perhaps this will be a math question:  I am really unsure how the rating system works.  I started out at 1200, with zero games played.  I then played a single game against an 1860 player and won.  Yet my rating is still 1200.  I figured it would go up, even if by only a little.  Can anyone explain?  Thanks!

Games can be played either rated or unrated. The game you played happened to be an  unrated game. Most likely your opponent didn't want to play a rated game against someone without an established rating. Don't worry, you'll find plenty of people who will.

I understand.  He was guarding his rating then?  He was afraid I would be a good player and didn't want his rating to go down if he lost?  Seems kinda cheap but that's cool.  I guess there are some good reasons for doing that that I do not understand.  Afterall, I am new to online chess, and new to chess in general.  Anyhoo, thanks for commenting.  I'll try to pay attention to the rating options in the future, now that I know they exist.

"He was guarding his rating then?  He was afraid I would be a good player and didn't want his rating to go down if he lost?"

 

Playing someone new is somewhat risky, because you're 1200 but could actually be much stronger. If Matt's rating dropped 150 points from playing you he might find it harder to get games against players who are his level. Also, you were an unknown--you could have been a good sport or a poor sport, and playing unrated lets him pull the plug without consequences in the latter case. But if you're curious, just ask him.  :)
 

"Seems kinda cheap but that's cool.  I guess there are some good reasons for doing that that I do not understand."

 

Think about it this way--he had nothing to gain by playing you. He played you to extend the welcome Matt and for the fun of the game! If you want some rated games, just open a seak and you'll get them soon enough, likely against similarly-rated players. Good luck!

Right on likesforests.  I hope I did not come off as angry or snooty.  I simply did not understand.  But I enjoyed the game (it was my first online game) and I am sure he was extending the welcome matt which I appreciate.  This seems like a really cool site, I will try to get my friends on it.  I have another question regarding the PGN file, but I'll start a new thread for that.  Thanks for your comments everyone!