Reality Check

Platforms like chess.com do chess a great service by bringing many players to the game and I hope that after the pandemic, this will be reflected by even stronger chess clubs and OTB competitive play. I have some concerns though that online chess results in a huge over-estimation of ability.

I smile when I see new players ask how long it takes to become a GM; when 1000 grade players describe themselves as intermediate; when 800 grade players ask how to become a streamer etc.

In the real World, a very average club player (intermediate) is around 1800. Players below 1600 are definitely novice. The chances of anyone becoming a titled player are pretty much nil unless you have a great talent and are very dedicated (which doesn't mean playing 10000 blitz games). Bear in mind also that ratings here are inflated by around 200 points above FIDE ratings, other websites even more so.

It is terrific seeing chess enjoy such a surge in interest but I hope that it doesn't lead to discouragement for those that decide to play 'for real' when the situation returns to normal. Prior to Covid, new members were showing up at clubs that felt good after playing exclusively online but were never to be seen again after a few weeks leaving disheartened.

Nicely written post, but that's one tough club you play in OTB if 1800 is only an average player!  You make good points though.

hello

I don't want to focus on numbers but the average registered league player in the UK is around 1725.

The main point is that playing anything online tends to provide an inflated sense of ability which can only lead to disappointment so it is important to stay in touch with reality. 

Rip me lol

RIP no-one. After the initial shock, players tend to improve much better playing OTB and clubs support members by someone stronger going over games properly with them. Simply looking which move is red and looking what the computer move was in Analysis falls a long was short of self-analysis. 

I have beaten many 2000+ players here and have a SuperGM puzzle rating - fortunately, I know that both of these are pure fantasy. It would be nice if online sites provided a truer reflection.

Well said

I certainly agree with your main argument that playing online can provide an inflated sense of proficiency.  That said, any rating system can only reflect the pool of players it represents so I see no solution.

I think that online players would be better served if the rating system used actually gave them a LOWER rating than OTB, or a completely different range that doesn't look like a FIDE grade.

Within Chess.com itself, of course it is academic.

What do you mean by average? The average club player I think is below that.

Unless you are talking about, like, people actually serious about the game.

I’m sitting in a lobby in a hotel in a four day chess tournament waiting for someone who isn’t here for seventeen minutes right now 

That sounds like the beginning of a book.

My second round starts in forty minutes lol

The average I used (1725) is the average of all 14000+ players that are registered with ECF (English Chess Federation) which is necessary to play in any league, competition or tournament that wishes games to be submitted for grading.

There are 'social' players in most clubs that do not wish to play competitively but they are simply categorized as 'ungraded' players. Most large leagues have 5 divisions - I am a typical division 3 player. 

I envy you sitting at a board in a playing hall

Although it will never be quite the same without 100+ clocks ticking out loud and cigar smoke wafting over the board. 

I’m sixteen years old, I don’t want to start secondary smoking 

How is cigar smoke loud?

LOL  when I was 16, avoiding secondary smoking was not an option because 90% of the population smoked.

Mikhail Tal was well know for blowing smoke at his opponents.

But now, “no smoking in the buildings”

how times change 

Aaaaah

Are you sure? Because that is so large

iin the US, USCF ratings average is like 1000 i believe