Hi AndyB
Here is my suggestion that aims to take account of player inactivity without tying selectors hands.
Noting that almost all of those expressing objections or reservations have agreed with the aim of having activity as a factor, I suggest the following:
1) Agree on a working formula (obtained from past data) that estimates the effect of the length of a period of inactivity in terms of difference in rating points.
Eg, I recall Dougie Bryson suggesting once that from the data the average rate of decline seemed to be about 10 points per inactive year.
2) Factor this adjustment for inactivity into discussions of ratings and playing strength, and into guidelines.
3) If a minimum number of games is still required to improve performance, set it low so as not to exclude top players unnecessarily.
I don't think many would object to even a fixed minimum, if it was five or six games.
With the advantage conferred by greater activity, only players with a clear margin over the others will be able to benefit from the minimum level being low, after taking account of the estimated effect on playing strength .
Note that the adjustment would be objective but having made it selectors would still be free to apply their usual methods of judgement.
4) Some players might make the team while inactive (for a while) but they would need to have a clear enough margin. If paying strength is not to be the only criterion for selection, you could deduct (for example) a further five percent from the inactive player's notional rating for reasons of encouragement/performance/greater good - so for selection purposes a player 'loses' 10-15 points per year for inactivity.
Those numbers can obviously be changed to reflect views (some might argue for a harsher 'penalty'), but the idea allows selectors to use their experience while still taking account of the views of yourself as ID and other competitors (also like yourself
) who contribute a lot to the chess scene and so arguably deserve a better chance for their efforts.
What do you think?
Cheers
Walter
Here is my suggestion that aims to take account of player inactivity without tying selectors hands.
Noting that almost all of those expressing objections or reservations have agreed with the aim of having activity as a factor, I suggest the following:
1) Agree on a working formula (obtained from past data) that estimates the effect of the length of a period of inactivity in terms of difference in rating points.
Eg, I recall Dougie Bryson suggesting once that from the data the average rate of decline seemed to be about 10 points per inactive year.
2) Factor this adjustment for inactivity into discussions of ratings and playing strength, and into guidelines.
3) If a minimum number of games is still required to improve performance, set it low so as not to exclude top players unnecessarily.
I don't think many would object to even a fixed minimum, if it was five or six games.
With the advantage conferred by greater activity, only players with a clear margin over the others will be able to benefit from the minimum level being low, after taking account of the estimated effect on playing strength .
Note that the adjustment would be objective but having made it selectors would still be free to apply their usual methods of judgement.
4) Some players might make the team while inactive (for a while) but they would need to have a clear enough margin. If paying strength is not to be the only criterion for selection, you could deduct (for example) a further five percent from the inactive player's notional rating for reasons of encouragement/performance/greater good - so for selection purposes a player 'loses' 10-15 points per year for inactivity.
Those numbers can obviously be changed to reflect views (some might argue for a harsher 'penalty'), but the idea allows selectors to use their experience while still taking account of the views of yourself as ID and other competitors (also like yourself
) who contribute a lot to the chess scene and so arguably deserve a better chance for their efforts.What do you think?
Cheers
Walter