MSA Data
Thanks to Tacticus Maximus for linking a program called MSA Data, which downloads and analyzes tournament results from the USCF.
It was a tad nostalgic seeing all those names from tournaments and clubs past. I was a bit surprised at how infrequently I met some of them in tournaments–1 person thrice, 10 twice, and 49 just once. (Oddly, I’ve already played one person from the Houston Chess Club twice in two tournaments.)
The good
My best upset was 327 points higher.
My best draw was 588 points higher.
Worst loss was to a 1400 (168 points lower at the time), and the next worst was to a 1497 (112 points). (I thought there’d be at least one real crapball game where I lost to an 1100 or something, but no such luck.)
The bad
Record against similarly rated opponents is +5/-8/=2. Not particularly healthy.
Record against players 100 or more points higher? +7/-28/=5. It’s not like I’m playing Experts and Masters all the time (9 games) to make the disparity so great.
The optimistic
Unofficially, I’m 31% of the way to obtaining the 100 point increase I’m shooting for. As far as following that +100 plan? Kinda doing parts 1, 3, and 5, while ignoring 2 and 4.
[UPDATE: One of the tournaments I played in was called the "Waco Full Frontal Autumn Open". Not the most optimal verbiage, methinks.]
thank...
I just found your blog via other chess blogs… read through a bunch of your posts. hilarious shit!
Chessaholic
Comment by Chessaholic | 20 November 2007
Don’t worry. You will soon come to regret having encountered this site.
Comment by Donnie | 20 November 2007
It’s interesting to consider whether “hilarious sh*t” is actually a compliment.
Comment by Derek Slater | 20 November 2007
I prefer scheiss because it makes you sound very sophisticated and Euro-trashy. And so few Americans know what it means. They all know merde so it’s not as fun.
Comment by Wahrheit | 20 November 2007
nothing profound but simply hello, and as always, appreciate of your delightful locution’s and inventive constructs and wry observations. warmly, dk
Comment by David K, Seattle | 21 November 2007
@Derek: LOL. These things must be considered in the spirit in which they were written.
@Wahrheit: I dread the way when we’ll have to resort to Slovakian.
@David: Hey, it’s good to hear from you! Have your eyes become unglazed since that rash of bullet chess?
Comment by Donnie | 21 November 2007
no, they have not.
a LOT of stress at work… and lots of GM game study AND now the FIDE world cup each night at 2 am pst.
warmest, dk
Comment by David K, Seattle | 28 November 2007