List of 25 top countries in strength (average top 10)

Rank Country Average top 10 #of GMs # of IMs Total Titled Players

1 Russia 2716 156 415 1588
2
Ukraine 2663 53 167 326
3
United States of America 2625 59 99 455
4
France 2623 29 68 241
5
Armenia 2616 17 22 58
6
Hungary 2616 36 100 338
7
China 2611 19 12 81
8
Israel 2609 33 40 132
9
Germany 2607 60 187 954
10
Netherlands 2605 19 56 210
11
Georgia 2604 19 30 87
12
England 2602 33 51 205
13
Azerbaijan 2595 13 15 48
14
India 2593 11 45 96
15
Bulgaria 2585 23 47 88
16
Poland 2585 20 80 240
17
Serbia and Montenegro 2569 49 104 513
18
Spain 2562 25 70 295
19
Romania 2558 14 71 235
20
Czech Republic 2555 19 61 179
21
Croatia 2544 18 55 186
22
Cuba 2544 12 39 197
23
Belarus 2543 8 27 67
24
Greece 2537 10 20 73
25
Kazakhstan 2537 11 22 68

Russia is of course the strongest, have most GMs and IMs. However, the surprising thing is Germany is #2 in total GMs and the US is #3 in both strength of top 10 and total GMs. The US benefits the most from the relocation of top players from other countries, especially from the old Soviet block. Posted by Picasa

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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