AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Winning at All Costs: The Psychology of Ratings
Achieving a chess rating above 1000 signifies a winning record, while a score below indicates a losing one. The structured matchmaking system on platforms like chess.com makes it challenging to maintain a high rating, as players are often paired with opponents of similar skill levels. To circumvent the difficulty of recovering from a low rating, some may consider starting new accounts to reset their score. This tactic, though ethically questionable, highlights the intense desire for success in competitive games and reflects the psychological weight tied to ratings, which can impact a player's self-worth. The deep engagement in the game, exemplified by prioritizing play even at the expense of missing flights, reveals a strong emotional investment in the game and its competitive landscape.