Jeff Sonas is Software engineer and database consultant who is also one of the world’s leading experts on chess ratings. As you may have read, FIDE recently proposed some changes to its rating system (partially due to Jeff’s advice). . In our conversation, Jeff explains the background of his work on ratings, and why he feels that changes to the system are necessary. Following a detailed and fascinating conversation about chess ratings, we discuss Jeff’s excellent historical chess site, Chessmetrics, which compares the relative strength of top chess players across eras. Due to his expertise on the topic, I also invited FM Nate Solon to guest co-host. Nate writes about chess and data on his excellent blog, Zwischenzug. As always, you can find timestamps of topics discussed below.
Sign up for my newsletter, The Perpetual Chess Linkfest here:
https://benjohnson.substack.com
FIDE Press release about Proposed Rating Changes- https://fide.com/news/2538
Jeff’s paper-
https://www.fide.com/docs/presentations/Sonas%20Proposal%20-%20Repairing%20the%20FIDE%20Standard%20Elo%20Rating%20System.pdf
Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable. Here are some courses to check out FM Nate Solon’s course here:
100 Repertoires: Reti (1.Nf3)
You can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/
04:00- We welcome Jeff Sonas to the show!
04:30- He begins by discussing the history of his work in ratings, and specifically with FIDE. Jeff also discusses how he has gone from worrying about inflation to deflation?
Mentioned: Rating Inflation: Its causes and Its possible cures
26:00- Patreon mailbag question- Could Jeff put a number on the amount of deflation? Is there deflation on the chess playing websites?
36:00- More explanation of the causes of deflation
Mentioned: GM Jacob Aagaard’s Tweet, Article by Tarjei Svensen about Velpula Sarayu’s Record Performance
42:00- Does the deflation matter, other than for reasons of vanity?
48:00- What does Jeff think of the Glicko system?
Episode 249 with Dr. Mark Glickman, Jeff’s Archive of Chess Writing
53:00 Patreon mailbag question: How feasible is a universal rating system based on engine move matching?
Mentioned: Read Jeff’s paper here:
https://www.fide.com/docs/presentations/Sonas%20Proposal%20-%20Repairing%20the%20FIDE%20Standard%20Elo%20Rating%20System.pdf
59:00- Jeff discusses the history and methodology of his awesome chess history website, Chessmetrics
Mentioned: Jeff’s Series: Who is the Greatest Player of All Time
1:10:00- Where would Carlsen rank?
1:14:00- What would be the biggest challenge to creating a chess site similar to a basketball reference or ultimate tennis statistics?
1:16:00- Has Jeff ever gotten inquiries about his data from top players?
Mentioned: Chess24 top 50 of all time Series with GM Jan Gustafsson and GM Peter Heine Nielsen
1:18:00- Which historical player is underrated?
1:25:00- What is Jeff’s own chess background?
1:28:00-
Thanks so much to Jeff for joining the podcast! You can reach him via the Chessmetrics website:
http://www.chessmetrics.com/cm/CM2/Introduction.asp
And be sure to subscribe to FM Nate Solon’s free blog here:
https://zwischenzug.substack.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EP 351- Steffen Nielsen: The author and award-winning endgame study composer on what makes a good chess puzzle, and whether endgame studies are good for your chess calculation.
EP.350- CM Can Kabadayi: A self-taught Candidate Master and Cognitive Scientist on Calculation, The Chess Aging Curve and his Favorite Chess Books
EP 349- Dr. Anique de Bruin: Deliberate Practice and the Science of Chess Learning
Book Recap #33- Think Like a Super GM and Strategic Chess Exercises: 2 Great Books for Intermediate Level and Up (with Dr. Michael Franco)
EP 348- ALTO Tournament Report- Two Participants on What they learned and Experienced at an Adult Only Weekend Tournament in Charlotte
EP 347- GM Gregory Kaidanov on The Return of Hans Niemann, FIDE World Cup Reflections & The Differences Between Adult and Youth Chess Students
EP 346- NM Todd Bryant Shares his Data on the Most Accomplished Adult Improvers in recent US Chess History, plus Discusses his Own Approach to Chess Enjoyment & Improvement
EP 345- WFM Maaike Keetman on The Best Open Tournaments in Europe, The Chess Steps Method & Chessable's Create Your Own Course Contest
EP 344- GM Melik Khachiyan on How Staying Active OTB and Emphasizing Physical Fitness helped him Finally win his First National Title!
Bonus Pod- FIDE World Cup Update- Magnus and Fabiano on a Collision Course? Featuring CM Vjekoslav Nemec and IM Michael Rahal reporting from the tournament in Baku.
EP 342- GM Simen Agdestein: The Norwegian Chess Legend on Coaching Young Magnus, Life as a Pro Footballer, and What he Learned from Career-Altering Injuries
Book Recap #32- GM Rowson's Chess for Zebras a classic book that tackles the challenges of adult improvement, and the differences between playing White and Black (with guest co-host, Professor David
EP 341-Double Episode! GM Levon Aronian on The Global Chess League, How to Better Promote Chess, and Reflections on his Bumpy Ride to the Chess Elite + Global Chess League Chairperson Jagdish Mitra on
Bonus Pod- Jen Shahade joins for a FIDE Women's World Championship Wrap Up
EP 340- FIDE World Cup Preview with Mr. Dodgy- The Best Tournament of the Chess Year starts Sunday! Magnus looks for his first World Cup Win, and Hikaru, Fabiano, and a host of Challengers hope to Ear
EP 339- WGM Anna Zatonskih: The Four-Time US Women’s Champion Shares the Story Behind Earning Her First GM Norm at age 44!
Bonus Pod- The FIDE Women's World Championship is at the Halfway Point: American Chess Olympian WGM Begim Tokhirjonova joins to discuss it
EP 338- Dr. Daniel Simons and Dr. Christopher Chabris- Two Award Winning co-authors and Professors on Growth Mindset, Cheating in Chess, Chess Improvement & Much more!
EP 337- NM Nate Shuman- A Scholastic Champion on How Mindfulness Practices Helped Him & Can Help All Competitive Chess Players
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
That Don‘t Sound Right
Adeptus Ridiculous
Gun Talk
Toy Geeks!
Good Job, Brain!