Senior rating divisions

All Things Chess
1

There are 13 separate divisions for young players in the top player lists, not counting the 3 for female players, yet only one for Senior players; with that being the over 65 category. Why is that? If one is eligible to play in the US Senior at 50, why is that age not listed?
I would like to suggest the list be changed to include the best players at the ages of 50-55-60-65-70-and 75.

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2

I suspect nobody’s ever asked for it, the Senior Committee would be the place to start.

Part of the concern would be whether there are enough active players to justify multiple brackets.

Here’s a breakdown of players active since June of 2007 by age from 8-15 and in 5 year increments starting at age 50:

[code] age count

8 4055
9 5181
10 5411
11 5260
12 4234
13 3359
14 2784
15 2084
50-54 2171
55-59 1502
60-64 1009
65-69 653
70-74 434
75+ 397[/code]

3

Or, perhaps there are too many players in some of the sub-brackets (such as 50-55).

Bill Smythe

4

Speaking of the Top 100 lists, when will the latest version be posted?

I like these lists. It gives states a chance to shine the light on their younger players. Maybe being on a Top 100 list will keep players renewing their memberships and actively playing. Anything that helps is OK with me.

5

Well … some of us who are over 50 still wish to think of ourselves as young! Senior? Bah, humbug! :slight_smile:

6

We generate Top 100 lists every other month, in even numbered months. The October ratings list was finalized over the weekend, Chuck will be working on getting Top 100 lists from that ratings list created this week.

7

I have to admit, I’d like to know how I stand with my age group (55-60).

All the best, Joe Lux

8

Probably with the help of a Zimmer Frame… :slight_smile:

9

Shouldn’t that be 55-59? (The determination of the age brackets is one of the issues that the Senior Committee should be consulted on.)

10

Or 56-60. (Fencepost effect.)

Bill Smythe

11

Or 55 - <60

12

We have Erik Karklins here in Illinois still pushing wood instead of daisies and he is in his 90’s. I wonder how many players are still active into their 90’s? (yep, he has remained an Expert for many years now).

13

USCF records have 11 players in their 90’s who have played in rated events in the last 12 months and another 118 players in their 80’s.

14

Agreed. And let me add the suggestion that the “Senior Division” be defined as starting 2 years older than my own age at any time…