I signed up for the 7 day trial (exigentsky) and played 3 Queen's Gambit games so far. All of them were against 1400+ players and all of them drawn by agreement. (usually with a slight advantage for me) Based on this kind of performance, I would say that a 1400 on ICC plays like a 1600 on Playchess.com. The games were surprisingly free of errors. According to engine analysis, no move would have given either side more than +.50. Even the openings were played well. Since when do 1400s play the Nimzo-Indian correctly 10 moves deep?
Of course this isn't the only explanation.
1. The opening is quite positional and perhaps 1400 players suffer most when it comes to tactics.
2. The sample size is very small and it's possible that these players were underrated or just had a very good game.
3. I may be a 1400. However, I don't think this is likely because I'm above 1850 on FICS and PC.
That's my experience so far.
Originally posted by exigentskyYou drew didn't you? 😉
3. I may be a 1400. However, I don't think this is likely because I'm above 1850 on FICS and PC.
That's my experience so far.
The nimzo is pretty well known and 10 moves into the opening isn't that deep.Unless if you played an obscure line,then you could start wondering.
And Exigentsky, the players on FICS are a little better than those on ICC with a similar rating. These are personal observations based on 3 years of playing all three--blitz 2/12 mostly. As for sheer numbers, ICC is tops, followed by Playchess, then...I don't know. Maybe FICS. Don't know the numbers on that one.
LOL, I drew another one! However, it was against a 1650 player and I know I made a positional error. I didn't preserve the tension long enough and we ended up with symmetrical pawn structures and opposite colored bishops.
I'm the draw machine on ICC. That's why I'm only 1474. 🙁
Originally posted by exigentskySurely if you had a slight advantage in those first three you may have been able to pull out wins. Let's say you didn't accept the draw and continued on to win 2 of those three, meaning your rec is 2-0-2. If this were the case your rating would be over 1600 right now and not at 1474.
LOL, I drew another one! However, it was against a 1650 player and I know I made a positional error. I didn't preserve the tension long enough and we ended up with symmetrical pawn structures and opposite colored bishops.
I'm the draw machine on ICC. That's why I'm only 1474. 🙁
I know, but I'm always afraid of losing. So I'll draw even advantageous positions. It's a mental block. I think: It's possible that I may lose, so maybe I should just take the draw and go home. After all, a draw is better than a loss. In all reasonableness though, I would probably manage at leat a draw even if I played on. But the uncertainty always scares me. That's why I usually draw games unless I'm up a pawn or more and thus have very very good winning chances.
Soon maybe I'll work up the courage not to do this anymore.