From: Larry Kaufman MSN COM> Date: 3 jan 2002 Subject: Pan-Atlantic ratings ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C19499.5597BF80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable As a result of extensive consultations between myself (for the US Sh= ogi Federation) and Asle Olufsen (for FESA), we have agreed to change the= method of rating handicap games (which is currently only done for games = in the US). Henceforth, the value of each handicap will be a set number = of ranks, rather than a set number of rating points. This corresponds wi= th the Japanese practice of using the same handicap for a given number of= ranks regardless of the level. However, our rank equivalences are less = than the Japanese custom, as our data shows that the customary Japanese h= andicaps to not fully equalize the chances (especially in clock games). = Our rank equivalences (effective Jan 1 2002) will be: sente =3D .15, lanc= e =3D .5, bishop =3D 1.5, rook =3D 2, rook & lance =3D 2.5, two piece =3D= 3.5, four piece =3D 4.5, five piece (right) =3D 6, and six piece =3D 7 r= anks. =20 The exact implementation is difficult to explain, but basically the = handicap gets a rating value equal to the above number of ranks at the le= vel the players are actually at. Thus, for mid kyu players rook will be = only 160 points (instead of the current 250), but in a game where a mid 5= dan gives a mid 3 dan a rook, its value will be 340 points, since the ra= nks are much wider at high levels. We believe this will give more accura= te ratings, especially to professionals whose rating might otherwise be b= elow top amateurs. Larry Kaufman, ratings chairman USSF ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C19499.5597BF80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

&n= bsp; As a result of extensive consultations between myself (for the= US Shogi Federation) and Asle Olufsen (for FESA), we have agreed to chan= ge the method of rating handicap games (which is currently only done for = games in the US). Henceforth, the value of each handicap will be a = set number of ranks, rather than a set number of rating points. Thi= s corresponds with the Japanese practice of using the same handicap for a= given number of ranks regardless of the level. However, our rank e= quivalences are less than the Japanese custom, as our data shows that the= customary Japanese handicaps to not fully equalize the chances (especial= ly in clock games). Our rank equivalences (effective Jan 1 2002) wi= ll be: sente =3D .15, lance =3D .5, bishop =3D 1.5, rook =3D 2, rook &= ; lance =3D 2.5, two piece =3D 3.5, four piece =3D 4.5, five piece (right= ) =3D 6, and six piece =3D 7 ranks.

&= nbsp; The exact implementation is difficult to explain, but basically the= handicap gets a rating value equal to the above number of ranks at the l= evel the players are actually at. Thus, for mid kyu players rook wi= ll be only 160 points (instead of the current 250), but in a game where a= mid 5 dan gives a mid 3 dan a rook, its value will be 340 points, since = the ranks are much wider at high levels. We believe this will give = more accurate ratings, especially to professionals whose rating might oth= erwise be below top amateurs.

&n= bsp; Larry Kaufman, ratings chairman USSF

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