How I manage live chess rating

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Avatar of tnkhanh

I feel that my rating is kind of artificial and I kind of can manipulate it a bit.

It seems playing lower-rated opponents usually decreased my ratings in the long run (say after 10-20 games and taking the average). And playing higher-rated people usually helps me increase rating a lot. This is because losing to a higher-rated opponent only takes minimal rating loss when playing against lower-rated guys risks a lot of ratings. Hence, if I try to play only games with higher-rated guys (and abort games with lower-rated guys), my ratings increases.

Another way to manipulate ratings: Sometimes when I win a game, my opponent wants a rematch. If I sense that he is having a bad day and will keep losing, we will keep playing and he will feed me tons of ratings (making me fat grin.png ).

On the other hand, if people I lost against want rematch, I usually decline since it seems he's strong and I will lose again. (yeah I'm chicken like that tongue.png)

Using all these strategies, I feel my ratings is going up to the place where it should not be. It is a bit above my real strength. However, I still enjoy it tongue.png

Avatar of notmtwain

I don't think you should feel guilty. The part about taking rematches from the people who seem to be having a bad day sounds legitimate.

The high percentage of games you win against lower rated players should even out with the low percentage you win against higher rated players.

Avatar of ReddyKnight

happy.png