The ratings system seems broken

My bullet rating was 1650 and I went on a losing streak and lost some points. Then in frustration I kind of tilted and played carelessly and went down to 1400, in a reckless out of control way.

But what I discovered then was shocking. The players who are 1400 bullet are finding very complicated tactics that people don't find at the 1500 and even 1600 level. The 1400 players are playing better then many of the higher rated players!

I'm now stuck at 1400 and can't get out! How do you explain this?

skill issue

One day you will get higher again

Sure I have a skill issue, but I am making a real observation that at best, I can't see any difference between the chess skill of a 1600 or 1400 bullet player, they are very close, if anything the 1400s are harder to beat. I only found this out when I tanked to 1400.

I think you sandbagged a lot on February 20.

I have made similar observations.

I sandbagged out of frustration and then strangely found that the players at the lower levels were just as good as the somewhat higher level bullet players. At least this is true for the 1100-1600 level.

So you admit that you lost a considerable amount of elo intentionally on Feb 20, 2026, made an excuse instead of an apology, and still insist that there is something wrong with the system.

I don't think you deserve a ban, I just think you need to take a closer look at yourself.

That sentence explains it all. Now, you're not tilting, but you're likely impatient and that is why you don't play at your usual level and see less - it is a normal phenomenom I have also witnessed with Poker players who got stuck (even when they start fresh sessions another day).

You think, now, because you are 200 points higher rated normally, it should be a walk in the park, when in reality, you only expect a win rate of .

Then, there might also be a variance issue, that indeed, you maybe got paired with players, who:

- had a good day

- have a similar situation like you

- are good at the openings you play

... the list goes on. You'll get there but it may take a while. I had a similar downswing due to bad play and tilt recently, going from 1660 bullet to 1480, but I could not confirm any unexpected skill/rating distortions when grinding it back up

Edit: Just saw that the OP is from January. Well, maybe this perspective helps other players who've had a rough stretch

Why should I apologize? These people should be grateful I gave them all these points when I had an emotional meltdown, no?

I grinded back up to 1500 bullet, and I am absolutely still convinced that the players at the 1500-1600 are worse then then players at 1200-1400.

I have never seen such a strange phenomenon, I am standing by this, the lower rated players AT A CERTAIN RANGE are either using an engine or just play better then the higher rated players at bullet on average.

My grind from 1400 to 1500 was extremely fast, but my grind from 1100-1400 was really a slog and I lost a lot of games to players who I didn't think could ever beat me.

I am sure this starts to change when you reach 1700-1800 or higher, then you run into some real skill, but I just played a 1680 who was absolutely much worse then an 1100 I played a month ago.

A possible theory: lower rated players don't use their clock and move very fast, whereas the higher rated move slowly cause they have much more to calculate, which actually hurts them in bullet.

Anyhow, I get this is a controversial thread, sorry!

Congrats, you got higher finally

Thanks, it took me a long time, hopefully that is the last time I ever tilt away points in a fit of anger.

I guess it isn't good behaviour on my part, maybe I should say sorry.

I am not saying you should cancel this subscription, it is a great website. I just feel that something weird is going on sometimes.

For instance, I played an 1100 who saw a mate in 7...

Who knows! I do believe that bullet and blitz are addictive and harmful and probably not good for one emotionally, unless you learn to control it.