A TALLY OF DATABASE-USERS & NON-USERS

Whew - I thought it was just me.

 where did that come from??

I'm in total agreement with you , Roy.  And the tally is simply a count of preferences. But some people want to push it, believing that it's possible to come up with skill level conclusions. The burden of proof is on their side, I suppose.

I agree that such a match won't prove anything. Besides, the Users who have much higher ratings than their counterparts have nothing to gain. 

But just for the heck of it (and for fun too), I challenged the top 3 Non-Users for an OTB-like game with both sides refraining from use of any external aids (including the analysis board).

So far the top two Non-Users, isaac_jay (2184) and am3692 (2176) have responded. I also have an ongoing game with WVSFielding (1785). These games should be fun!

Users - 70, Non-Users -71

One can only speculate about the possible meanings here - but as much of this thread is speculation, that is at least in keeping with the rest.

1. gumpty refers to his "pea sized" brain. [Use of humour, hyperbole (exaggeration) and irony].

2. paul211 questions the veracity of gumpty's statement - based on lack of supporting data from paul211's own visits to Gumpty's stated stamping ground (Manchester). paul211 then goes a little further (than is wise) in attempting to psychoanalyse gumpty - and 'identifies' 'low self-esteem'. [Use of humour, taking at face value, identification (mentioning shared experience), satire and je ne sais quoi].

We should bear in mind that paul211 is of French extraction and that English is not his first language.

C'est la vie!    http://library.thinkquest.org/J002267F/types_of_humor.htm   

 Me being the thick Paddy that I'm for I did not realise that,thx bro,I'm definetly a none user and proud to be,lol!

non-user.... i read chess books, and use their strategy in games but thats what books are for, to learn from. I don't bust out a book when an opponent does an unexpected move however. I just do my next move. Read into that answer as you will. What gains you make are mine.(copywrite<<me)

Users - 70, Non-Users -72

68 users

 Average rating = 1835

Hey Artfizz,what about me?

If you want to switch to the user side, let everyone know.

I'm working on it. In the meantime, guess the average rating for non-users. The closest to the answer gets a prize. (It goes without saying, you mustn't use DBs, calculators, pencil & paper, spreadsheets, etc.)

69 non-users

  Average rating = 1509

non user

The distinction between User and Non-User is on the basis of these COT guidelines:  

NON-USERS "... play "over the board" chess, as if we were playing face to face, and unable to use analysis boards, opening books, or any other external aid to help us, we promised we would use our knowledge and experience only to play the game."   ( http://circleoftrust.bravehost.com/ )   

USERS use any or all legitimate facilities while playing the game. This EXCLUDES Chess Engines (such as Fritz) and Endgame Tablebases. (chess.com playing rules)

Counted up to (and including) post #600.

Users - 70, Non-Users -73

1509 without isaac_jay; 1519 with isaac_jay's rating of 2198.

The averages were based on the state of the tally just before you (isaac_jay) were included. I wasn't proposing to keep updating the list of ratings and the averages - in addition to updating the basic lists.

Per Artfizz's computation, the average rating, so far:

User = 1835...........Non-User = 1509

Difference = 326

300 has been a guess by some to be the number you add to the Non-Users' Rating to approximate their rating had they used outside sources while playing.

A bit harder to pin down would be the +/- to enjoyment of the game itself between user vs non-user.