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This doesn't change the argument, but the median rating of 1100 is misleading since most of under 1100 are children who participate in various Chess in Schools programs and who never go onto play rated chess as adults. Among active playing adults the median must be closer to 1400 if not more.

However this Kasparov vs. The World game does show the case where the "tragedy of commons" comes into play. 50,000 players playing without "guidance" from the top would quickly lose to Kasparov.

One last point, 400 point rating difference is actually considered quite significant, top player then is supposed to get a 99:1 score in 100 games. When there is 200 point difference, advantage slips to 75:25.




400 points is actually more like a 90:10 advantage, but that's a minor point.


You are correct! It is the 800 point difference which comes out to roughly 99:1. Finally, took the time to calculate correctly from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elo_rating_system




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