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"1200"?

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MolotovRuss

Just out of interest, what made you choose 1200 as the default member-rating for member's who've just signed up? I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but I just fancy knowing what had you pick it :)

Thijs
The choice of initial rating is just the choice of the average rating of all players. Apparently they thought 1200 was a good average. I would say 1500 or 1600 is more accurate, since most regular otb chess ratings vary from around 600 to 2600 (excluding the extremely high- and low-rated players).
Thijs
Hmm according to the Dutch National Ratings Statistics, the average Dutch National Rating is somewhere between 1600 and 1700 now (link - top graph shows average rating per rating list).
Etienne
Because it was the only natural number available between 1199 and 1201
nattysis
Umm... was etienne being funny or did I miss something?Tongue out I laughed anyway
erik
1500 might be appropriate for registered tournament chess players, but chess.com attracts EVERYONE, and so we adjusted it accordingly.
billwall
I agree with the 1200 rating unless someone has a high Elo, USCF, CFC, IECG, IECC, ICCF, BCF rating.  Most of the 1200s that I have played are really 1200 or less.
Marf
But how does the rating system work if you win lose or draw.Smile
erik
Marf wrote: But how does the rating system work if you win lose or draw.

 go check the articles for RATINGS :)

pawnshover
Kasparov had his name on a rinky-dink chess program that also started players at 1200.
MolotovRuss
Rinky-Dink?