K-Factor of 20

[MartinCarpenter]

Deflation of the population mean grade and additional amounts of randomness on each individual grade are distinct things and can of course both be going on at once

[Roger de Coverly]

Deflation of the population mean grade and additional amounts of randomness on each individual grade are distinct things and can of course both be going on at once

They certainly are. Before the extension downwards of the FIDE ratings and the unnecessary revaluation of the ECF grades, it could be observed that the FIDE rating could exceed the ECF grade as converted for the more ambitious players. The point being that the FIDE rating measured their best performances whilst the ECF grade measured all of them.

The resulting discrepancy was used as evidence in favour of the revaluation, but the net effect has been that the ECF grade might be too high and the FIDE rating too low, particularly with the extension down to 1000.

The 4NCL have adopted a rule that players can be given whatever rating best fits in with a captain's strategy. So if the FIDE rating fits with a preferred board order, you use it, otherwise a converted ECF can be used. I believe you can mix and match within the same squad.

The current convention of 7.5*ECF+700 = FIDE is sensible enough but stretches to breaking point when the ECF grade is revalued by the device of ignoring previous grades and the FIDE rating maintains historic baggage.

[NickFaulks]

It's generally reckoned that the USCF has around five to six times the number of active players as the ECF. Yet if you list USA players below 1600, there are 85 of them as opposed to 193 ENG.

So the extension of ratings downwards has been faster in the UK than in at least one other country with a mature national rating or grading system.

You're right, but I long ago stopped worrying about the USCF. In chess, as in other matters, the US believes that it is big enough to get along perfectly well by ignoring the existence of the wider world. They may even be right, but I really don't believe it makes sense for the ECF to try to maintain the same conceit.