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.
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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/
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EP 304- Neal Bruce- What We Can Learn from the Studying Classic Game Compilation Books
EP 303- Adult Improver Kyle Boddy- A Pioneer in Sports Analytics and Peak Performance on His Approach to Chess Improvement
EP 302- Chess Improvement Q & A with IM Andras Toth- One of YouTube's Best Chess Teachers
Bonus Pod- GM Hans Niemann is suing Magnus, Chess.com and Hikaru Nakamura! Law Professor David Franklin joins to Assess What Might Happen From Here
EP 301- Computer Science Professor and IM, Dr. Kenneth Regan on the Carlsen/Niemann controversy and the Current State of Cheating in OTB Chess
EP 300- Swedish Chess Legend, GM Ulf Andersson on his Encounters with Kasparov, Karpov and Fischer and How he Keeps up With Chess Today.
Bonus Pod- FM Nate Solon joins to Discuss Chess.Com's Report about the Carlsen/Niemann Controversy
EP 299- Chess Blogger and Trainer FM Dennis Monokroussos on Lessons from Tal and Petrosian, how 'Toiletgate' compared to the Current Chess Scandal, and the Importance of Playing with Different Styles
Book Recap #29- Discussing The Longest Game by GM Jan Timman a Great Book which Tells the Story of the Kasparov-Karpov matches
Bonus Pod- GM Jonathan Rowson and GM David Smerdon discuss the Carlsen/Niemann Saga
EP 298- Adult Improver Hans Henning on Why he Loves Studying Openings, and How Chess Helps Give Him Purpose
Bonus Pod- GM Alex Fishbein and IM Greg Shahade share their thoughts on the latest developments in the Carlsen/Niemann Sinquefield Cup Controversy
EP 297- IM Carissa Yip on her love for the King’s Indian Defense, Why Levon Aronian is her favorite player and the ups and downs of her first Chess Olympiad.
Bonus Pod- GM Jacob Aagaard joins for an update on the Sinquefield Cup Controversy
EP 296- Award Winning Author/Trainer, GM Jacob Aagaard on Endgame "Rules of Thumb", the Wave of Young Phenoms, and the World Championship Format
Bonus Pod- Chess World in Turmoil as Magnus Carlsen Suddenly withdraws from Sinquefield Cup Amid Speculation that GM Hans Niemann used Engine Assistance
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Bonus Pod- How to Chess Podcast- GM Johan Hellsten on How to Analyze Your Own Chess Games
EP 294- GM Fabiano Caruana on Engines, The Evolution of Chess, the Candidates Tournament, and the World Championship Cycle.
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