From: Pieter Stouten <stouten <at> SHOGI <dot> NET>
Date: 9 jan 2000
Subject: Ratings, grades and handicaps

On 00/01/09 at 18:34 +0900, Dick Iwakura wrote:

>These are the statics to be used in almost of Japanese
>Shogi Clubs which Shogi Renmei also recommends:
>
Larry asked for statistics, meaning information on how many games are
won by the handicap giver (given a certain grade difference and
handicap used). If the handicap giver wins significantly more games
than the handicap receiver, it means that the recommended handicaps
are too small (or conversely that the current actual gap between
subsequent grades is too large). It is possible to establish optimal
grade difference/handicap correspondence, but it requires that one
has an idea of the functional form that relates grade differences to
handicaps. Currently, a linear relationship is assumed that does not
depend on the absolute strengths of the players.

>Please follow the above recommendation for shogi's
>standardization unless western shogi players feel
>any inconveniences. (^_^)
>
It is not a matter of feeling or inconvenience. It is simply a matter
of statistical ananlysis of the results of handicap games. USSF and
FESA are about to finalize the details of a unified Elo rating
system. That will provide us with an unambiguous, objective tool to
assess performance and based on that performance to award kyu and dan
promotions. At the same time, there is also an attempt to relate
handicaps to Elo rating differences, which makes inherently more
sense than using grade differences as ratings reflect current
performance, while grades reflect historical peak performance.

On 00/01/09 at 9:06 +0300, Alexander Nosovsky wrote:

>Russian players are usually played equal games, without handicap.
>So, for many of participants of the Match handicap games was first in
>their life. We need to compare our players strength with European
>6-10 kyu, and it will be possible to see is it corrected definition
>the strength of Russian players or not.
>
I think the key issue is that Russian players get established Elo
ratings (which can be done by playing tournament games against
players with already established ratings) that are directly related
to kyu/dan grades.

Aside from the tournaments that are held all over Europe, the perfect
opportunity would be the European Shogi Championship/MSO Worldwide
Shogi Championship which will take place in London Friday 25 through
Sunday 27 August 2000. On the preceding two days (Wednesday 23 and
Thursday 24 August), we will most likely organize a team match, a
simultaneous against one or more professionals and the MSO Worldwide
Blitz Shogi Championship.

Ciao,

Pieter