Title Norm Calculation Spreadsheet

Running Chess Tournaments
1

I’ve created an Excel spreadsheet that figures out whether one’s performance in an event will garner one a USCF title norm. The USCF title norm system http://math.bu.edu/people/mg/ratings/titles-0509.pdf will be implemented soon, and when it is, you can see whether or not you will gain a norm from an event.

The spreadsheet has been checked by the chair of the USCF ratings committee, Mark Glickman, and is posted on his website. You can access it at http://math.bu.edu/people/mg/ratings/normcalc.xls.

Feel free to download it and use it. Should you have feedback, please PM, or email me at…

bioniclime [at-sign] gmail [dot] com

Thanks! I hope it works for you.

2

Something like this is only going to be as accurate as the information you have on people’s ratings. Norms CAN change due to rerating.

3

Of course… a model is only as good as the data that goes into it.

4

It may take a while to implement (as part of a rewrite of MSA), but the plan is to have information on norms earned as part of the crosstables on MSA, along with summary information on the titles and norms earned as part of a member’s info page.

5

Will rating floors change after an acquisition of a new rating title?

If not, what exactly is the purpose of titles gained by norms?

6

At this time, earning a norm-based title will not affect your ratings floor. (I can’t predict the future, but there’s nothing in the title system dealing with floors at this time.)

Organizers may make decisions about prize or section eligibility based on norm-based titles, but they can already make those decisions based on other factors, as long as they don’t use a LOWER rating than the player’s published rating.

See the paper on Mark Glickman’s website for an explanation of the system and the reasons for it.

math.bu.edu/people/mg/ratings/titles-0509.pdf

7

I read the explanation and it’s still all geek to me. :slight_smile:

8

I have read it as well and I actually can understand the mathematical computations involved. It doesn’t state whether someone would get, say a certificate from the USCF for gaining five norms for a rating title (as you would for achieving a Life Master, 300 game milestone).

I was just wondering if there was any plan for lifetime achievements, such as these titles, affecting rating floors. To this you answered that it wouldn’t, at least, at this time.

9

I don’t know of any plans to send out printed certificates, given the USCF’s budget woes I don’t see that as likely at this time.

They will be posted on the web somewhere, I’m just not sure where yet, probably on a redesigned MSA player page.

10

In your “copious available time” you could allow a link for a player to print out his own certificate (similar to the printing of the membership card after an on-line payment).

11

Your local “Award Center” will be happy to construct the trophy/plaque/framed certificate of your choice, for a nominal fee. Just show them the spreadsheet.

Not just for titles - every player who competes in a single USCF event can go to the trophy shop and purchase a “participation award”.

12

Could this formula be made available on this website and reference a specific player’s data and then reveal his Title information, somewhat like the Ratings Estimator does?

13

Good idea. Any update on this implementation in general?