chess ratings
I recently was advised by an opponent not to be intimidated by his high rating of 1600 odd.As a player of more modest rating and whose somewhat mercurial temperament allows his rating to swing dramatically i advised the gentleman that i was not intimidated by anything in the chess world! Many a fine player,at least the ones i have played,have an even lower rating than me.Its not all about intellect and mathematics.It is the whole gamut of human life and the way we choose to live (and play) it.Snooty people who consider themselves to clever and accomplished to play the lower ranks as it were miss out not just on good companionship,which i have definitely found with chess.com,but the whole reason for life and chess...pure enjoyment!!