Chess
Leonard Barden
Saturday March 8, 2008
The Guardian
Magnus Carlsen, 17, edged closer to the No1 ranking at Morelia-Linares, which ended last night. The Norwegian began slowly but was soon chasing the world champion, Vishy Anand, who led throughout. With one round left, Anand had 8/13, Carlsen 7.5.
Fide’s ratings due on April 1 could put Carlsen as high as No 4 in the world. Bobby Fischer was in a similar spot when he was 17 in 1960 but Carlsen’s situation is better, since he is 15-20 years younger than the top pair Vladimir Kramnik and Anand.
Carlsen could head the rankings in a year or so but he may have to wait longer for the world title. He has to qualify via the World Cup, a chancy knock-out, or via Fide’s new Grand Prix series, which looks vulnerable to the global recession.
Here is the full article.
He’ll be the greatest ever.
Fischer No. 4 in 1960? Where does this come from?
Certainly not according to Chessmetrics.
I would think Tal, Keres, Botvinnik, Petrosian, Smyslov, Spassky and Korchnoi would be rated higher than Fischer in 1960.
1960 was the year of Fischer’s worst-ever tournament – Buenos Aires 1960. Korchnoi won this 4.5 points ahead of Fischer.
I would have to agree that Magnus is the next fischer but without the hang-ups off the board. Keep straight Magnus. We support you.
>>>Fischer No. 4 in 1960? Where does this come from?
Fischer tied 1st/2nd with Spassky in Jan 1960 at Mar del Plata, Argentina. In Aug he did poorly in Burnos Aires and took first place in Reykjavik. In Nov he played board 1 at the Chess Olympiad and did very well 10-6-2.
Now in 1961 he took the US Open 7-4-0 and when to 2660. After 2nd place in Alekhine Memorial he when to 2675. After the Inerzonal in 1962 he when to 2713 so perhaps Susan was thinking 1961 that he was placed 4th in the world standing.
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/fischer.htm
The http://www.fide.com website only gives FIDE rankings from July 2000 to present.
http://www.fide.com/ratings/toparc.phtml?cod=1
The http://www.uschess.org website gives USCF rankings from Oct 2006 to present.
http://main.uschess.org/component/option,com_top_players/Itemid,371/
Here is list of the top 10 rankings using the Elo system from 1970 to 1997 provided by the Edinburgh University Chess Club.
http://chess.eusa.ed.ac.uk/Chess/Trivia/AlltimeList.html
The first national chess rating list was published in Dec 1950 issue of Chess Review magazine. I couldn’t find Chess Review back issues on line anywhere. If you know where they are post them.
http://www.ishipress.com/ratings.htm
bobmutch, thanks for that.
The 2660, 2675 and 2713 ratings you quote are USCF ratings, not world ratings and not really comparable. And looking at what Sam Sloan says, some of them look distinctly ropey!
I can well believe Fischer to be about 4th in the world after his 2nd place at Bled 1961. But he is 18 then, not 17 – a big difference. Where will Magnus be when he is 18?
I do not believe Fischer to be 4th best in the world in 1960. Something like 8-10th looks right. Fischer only tied his 1961 match with Reshevsky (played before Bled).
It is, of course, Barden that said it, not Susan. I don’t think he has researched this properly.
Sorry, cannot help with Chess Review back issues. Is there any particular reason why they would be online?
I was already aware of the eusa list of rankings. Thanks. Beware! – there’s one or two errors in it.
It is a great pity that Elo did not backdate his ratings except in the most general terms.
According to what is said, he produced his first list in 1964. I understand he produced several others before his ratings were officially adopted by FIDE in 1970.
Does anybody know where you can obtain these pre-1970 lists?
Or, indeed, the official lists 1970-1974 (other than top ten) without having to buy early Informators?
Be really grateful to anybody who can provide this information.
>>>The 2660, 2675 and 2713 ratings you quote are USCF ratings, not world ratings and not really comparable.
I should have marked them USCF but Bills pages noted that they are USCF. I think they are comparable as you just have to take ~5% off to make them simular to FIDE ratings.
>>>Barden that said it, not Susan
Ok. I didn’t read Leonard’s article and the post was by Susan’s.
>>>Is there any particular reason why they would be online?
No it would be a nice service though.