<i>Now, in response to what you call "deflation" this is a phenomena that has not been clearly explained or efficiently fixed to date. Prsonally, I think that the ratings have inflated rather than deflated. Isn't it just a little bit odd that there are over 100 players who are 2600+? </i>
KingpinChess: I've seen these concerns about inflation. I notice they are always about 2500+ players. It may be the case there is rating inflation at the GM level -- that's above my current pay grade.
However, that that does not rule out deflation at the class player level.
<i>The rating deflation mentioned earlier was presumed due to the influx of scholastic players sucking rating points from class players then the scholastic players quit chess and left the class players holding the bag with depressed ratings.</i>
Yeah