oly notes

Rating - numerical values used to rank chess players. A rating is a good estimate of the playing strength of a player, especially when the player is active. Classifications according to the USCF rating system include: senior master 2400+, master 2200-2399, expert 2000 – 2199, Class A 1800-1999, Class B1600-1799 to Class J under 200. Ratings go up when you win and down when you lose. How much they change depends on the rating of your opponent. (You win more for defeating a player higher rated than you) When a USCF member has played fewer than 20 rated games, his or her rating is provisional.