Does Lichess periodically adjust Blitz ratings? My rating has been fluctuating unusually • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

veritaslibertas

This is my first time posting on the forum, and honestly, I don't know much about the rating system. However, I've noticed something that I'm curious about.

I mostly play Blitz, and I've noticed that my rating seems to go through cycles where it rises for a certain period and then suddenly starts dropping again. At this point, I'm wondering whether this could be related to some kind of periodic adjustment or recalibration of ratings on Lichess.

For a very long time, I was hovering around the 1500 rating range. Then, over the past few months, I managed to climb to almost 1700, which felt like a significant improvement.

However, over the last few weeks, I suddenly can't seem to beat anyone. My rating has dropped back below 1500, and honestly, it's made me feel like I've suddenly become terrible at chess.

So now I'm wondering: is this just normal variance in my performance, or is there actually something about the Lichess rating system that could explain these kinds of fluctuations?

I'd be interested to hear from people who understand the rating system better than I do.

This is my first time posting on the forum, and honestly, I don't know much about the rating system. However, I've noticed something that I'm curious about. I mostly play Blitz, and I've noticed that my rating seems to go through cycles where it rises for a certain period and then suddenly starts dropping again. At this point, I'm wondering whether this could be related to some kind of periodic adjustment or recalibration of ratings on Lichess. For a very long time, I was hovering around the 1500 rating range. Then, over the past few months, I managed to climb to almost 1700, which felt like a significant improvement. However, over the last few weeks, I suddenly can't seem to beat anyone. My rating has dropped back below 1500, and honestly, it's made me feel like I've suddenly become terrible at chess. So now I'm wondering: is this just normal variance in my performance, or is there actually something about the Lichess rating system that could explain these kinds of fluctuations? I'd be interested to hear from people who understand the rating system better than I do.

tpr

"is this just normal variance in my performance"

Yes

"is this just normal variance in my performance" * Yes

DoomedBishop edited

If you lose a game by a long shot, you might want to play unrated until you get back in the swing of things. I don't always follow my own advice, as I have very few non-correspondence games which are unrated. I think I fall into the trap of wanting to see my rating improve. It will someday improve if I keep playing and studying. You have to become a better player first...then you will see your rating steadily improve. I think I am at the level I should be...I keep trying to get back up to 1700, but I can't do it at this time...I have noticed that it is a more difficult climb to 1700+, as my rating does not improve as much as when it was provisional. This is a mixed blessing, as my rating does not drop as fast either.

DavidDennison

It is interesting to look at the history of your opponents' ratings. You will see some of the same odd things happening. I have lost to several players who were 200-300 points higher in Blitz in the past, or had an extraordinary high score in some other mode of play. Some even have tournament points.

There seem to be alter egos playing on this site. Much better players showing a low rating. I don't know if they are sandbagging for tournament entry purposes.

I have also seen some players log out, then log back in with a good move, then log out again, and log back in. I report them, but I don't know if anything comes of it.

There are also some "one trick" ponies who have mastered a single line of play. If you do not fall for it or if you defend well against it, they resign right away or lose.

It seems that there are some players who have played, and/or now do play, well above their rating. I just block them. I don't really care about my rating; I just want to play players at my approximate level, not someone much better than I.

There is a very narrow definition of cheating on this site - someone using outside assistance, and members get nowhere complaining about perceived cheating. There is, however, a fair number of inexplicable anomalies on this site.

It is interesting to look at the history of your opponents' ratings. You will see some of the same odd things happening. I have lost to several players who were 200-300 points higher in Blitz in the past, or had an extraordinary high score in some other mode of play. Some even have tournament points. There seem to be alter egos playing on this site. Much better players showing a low rating. I don't know if they are sandbagging for tournament entry purposes. I have also seen some players log out, then log back in with a good move, then log out again, and log back in. I report them, but I don't know if anything comes of it. There are also some "one trick" ponies who have mastered a single line of play. If you do not fall for it or if you defend well against it, they resign right away or lose. It seems that there are some players who have played, and/or now do play, well above their rating. I just block them. I don't really care about my rating; I just want to play players at my approximate level, not someone much better than I. There is a very narrow definition of cheating on this site - someone using outside assistance, and members get nowhere complaining about perceived cheating. There is, however, a fair number of inexplicable anomalies on this site.

lightln2

I've also noticed that every other week there is a wave of strong players which goes away in a few days. I believe it's not [only] personal fluctuations in my strength because players with 50 points higher than me still have the same 50-60% winning ratio but people 50 points lower than me are suddenly much stronger. But this needs some statistical analysis to confirm.

Note that most of them are definitely not cheating, and there are many legitimate reasons for this (most probable is my own perception bias, to be honest).

I've also noticed that every other week there is a wave of strong players which goes away in a few days. I believe it's not [only] personal fluctuations in my strength because players with 50 points higher than me still have the same 50-60% winning ratio but people 50 points lower than me are suddenly much stronger. But this needs some statistical analysis to confirm. Note that most of them are definitely not cheating, and there are many legitimate reasons for this (most probable is my own perception bias, to be honest).

DrHack

I notice some fun bumps just after the big 24 hour tournaments. I don't think much of it.. just things resetting to a new normal.

imanoob424

mine does the same thing, even though I'm only 700 elo. I play a few games with 30-50 centipawn loss against opponents 100 elo higher and demolish them, but then I play a few and get 150+ centipawn loss and get beaten by 600 elo players.

veritaslibertas

My assessment still stands. It’s only been a few weeks, and I’ve climbed back toward my old rating again. I’ve been going back and forth between 1500 and 1600 Elo, and this kind of fluctuation has been going on for a very long time.

When I first started this topic, I had dropped into the 1400s for the first time. Now I’ve climbed back up to around 1550.

My assessment still stands. It’s only been a few weeks, and I’ve climbed back toward my old rating again. I’ve been going back and forth between 1500 and 1600 Elo, and this kind of fluctuation has been going on for a very long time. When I first started this topic, I had dropped into the 1400s for the first time. Now I’ve climbed back up to around 1550.