< October 31, 1977     Back to date list    February 28, 1978 >

Top 10 active players as of December 31, 1977

  #  

Player Rating +/-
1 Karpov, Anatoly E280149
2 Korchnoi, Viktor L274849
3 Polugaevsky, Lev A271550
4 Tal, Mikhail270948
5 Petrosian, Tigran V270049
6 Spassky, Boris V269050
7 Mecking, Henrique268756
8 Portisch, Lajos268450
9 Larsen, Bent267950
10 Geller, Efim P267750

About these ratings

Top 500 active players as of December 31, 1977

  #  

Player Rating +/- Best? 75%? Age
1 Karpov, Anatoly E28014960.1% #226.61
2 Korchnoi, Viktor L27484914.7% #746.77
3 Polugaevsky, Lev A2715504.7% #1543.11
4 Tal, Mikhail2709483.4% #1741.14
5 Petrosian, Tigran V2700492.4% #2048.54
6 Spassky, Boris V2690501.8% #2440.91
7 Mecking, Henrique2687562.4% #2825.93
8 Portisch, Lajos2684501.4% #2740.74
9 Larsen, Bent2679500.9% #2942.82
10 Geller, Efim P2677501.0% #3052.83
11 Ljubojevic, Ljubomir2671510.8% #3327.16
12 Romanishin, Oleg M2668490.6% #3525.97
13 Hort, Vlastimil2662480.4% #3733.96
14 Tseshkovsky, Vitaly V2659500.4% #4033.27
15 Gulko, Boris F2651490.2% #4630.89
16 Smyslov, Vassily V2646500.2% #4956.77
17 Gufeld, Eduard E2646610.6% #5541.78
18 Dorfman, Iosif D2644540.3% #5225.66
19 Balashov, Yury S2636490.1% #5628.80
20 Kholmov, Ratmir D2635530.2% #5852.63
21 Savon, Vladimir A2635510.1% #5737.26
22 Vasiukov, Evgeny A2635550.2% #5944.82
23 Hübner, Robert2632520.1% #6029.15
24 Vaganian, Rafael A2632500.1% #5926.21
25 Ribli, Zoltán2629500.1% #6126.32
26 Kuzmin, Gennady P2628500.1% #6231.94
27 Gligoric, Svetozar2625500.1% #6554.91
28 Gipslis, Aivars2624530.1% #6740.89
29 Dzindzichashvili, Roman Y2622570.2% #7133.65
30 Krogius, Nikolay V2622620.3% #7447.44
31 Miles, Anthony J261448 #7222.69
32 Browne, Walter S261351 #7528.97
33 Liberzon, Vladimir M261352 #7640.77
34 Chekhov, Valery A2612630.2% #8222.09
35 Tukmakov, Vladimir B261251 #7631.79
36 Evans, Larry M2611700.4% #8845.77
37 Dvoretsky, Mark I2611580.1% #8130.06
38 Smejkal, Jan261049 #7631.77
39 Bagirov, Vladimir K260855 #8241.37
40 Timman, Jan H260748 #7826.05
41 Furman, Semen A2606560.1% #8457.08
42 Razuvaev, Yury S260653 #8232.22
43 Sveshnikov, Evgeny E260552 #8227.88
44 Parma, Bruno260454 #8536.00
45 Byrne, Robert E260351 #8449.70
46 Marangunic, Srdjan2603650.2% #9334.17
47 Panchenko, Alexander N2599600.1% #9224.24
48 Bronstein, David I259651 #9053.86
49 Panno, Oscar R259650 #9042.79
50 Sanguinetti, Raúl C259555 #9344.90
51 Kurajica, Bojan259552 #9130.13
52 Uhlmann, Wolfgang259549 #9042.76
53 Kochiev, Alexander259552 #9221.77
54 Lerner, Konstantin Z259459 #9727.84
55 Sosonko, Gennadi259449 #9134.62
56 Beliavsky, Alexander G259451 #9224.04
57 Andersson, Ulf259348 #9126.51
58 Kavalek, Lubomir259149 #9434.39
59 Unzicker, Wolfgang258857 #10052.51
60 Gheorghiu, Florin258851 #9733.73
61 Darga, Klaus V2588660.1% #10743.85
62 Averbakh, Yury L2586630.1% #10755.89
63 Kupreichik, Viktor D258356 #10728.49
64 Sax, Gyula258249 #10126.54
65 Lein, Anatoly258258 #10946.76
66 Szabó, László258056 #10860.78
67 Taimanov, Mark E257951 #10651.89
68 Nikolac, Juraj257955 #10845.69
69 Suetin, Alexey S257855 #10951.12
70 Velimirovic, Dragoljub257852 #10735.63
71 Zaitsev, Igor A257660 #11539.59
72 Matanovic, Aleksandar257456 #11347.61
73 Pfleger, Helmut257357 #11534.40
74 Palatnik, Semen A256861 #12227.76
75 Olafsson, Fridrik256650 #11742.92
76 Alburt, Lev O256652 #11932.36
77 Platonov, Igor V2566740.2% #13143.95
78 Matulovic, Milan256451 #12042.56
79 Lombardy, William J256456 #12340.07
80 Klovans, Janis256362 #12742.73
81 Timoshchenko, Gennady256257 #12528.68
82 Nei, Iivo256260 #12746.17
83 Bukic, Enver256254 #12440.08
84 Ivkov, Borislav256150 #12344.13
85 Georgadze, Tamaz V256055 #12630.14
86 Schmid, Lothar M2560740.1% #13849.64
87 Najdorf, Miguel255958 #12867.71
88 Torre, Eugenio255949 #12326.16
89 Zakharov, Alexander V255960 #13034.23
90 Kapengut, Albert Z255873 #13833.49
91 Sakharov, A.255666 #136
92 Rashkovsky, Nukhim N255554 #13031.70
93 Karasev, Vladimir I255565 #13739.54
94 Commons, Kim S255365 #13826.44
95 Pachmann, Ludek255055 #13653.64
96 Tarjan, James E254951 #13325.85
97 Grigorian, Karen A254953 #13430.32
98 Malich, Burkhard G254657 #14041.09
99 Hulak, Krunoslav254453 #13926.60
100 Filip, Miroslav254358 #14349.18
101 Rogoff, Kenneth S254258 24.77
102 Radulov, Ivan254153 38.98
103 Sigurjónsson, Gudmundur254050 30.27
104 Tringov, Georgy P254056 40.82
105 Grefe, John A254057 30.32
106 Schmidt, Wlodzimierz253751 34.72
107 Ubilava, Elizbar E253668 27.34
108 Kovacevic, Vladimir253661 35.76
109 Adorján, András253450 27.75
110 Petrushin, Alexander I253361 30.81
111 Lutikov, Anatoly S253256 44.90
112 Vogt, Lothar H253150 25.95
113 Stean, Michael F252952 24.32
114 Knezevic, Milorad252952 41.17
115 Reshevsky, Samuel H252854 66.10
116 Lukin, Andrei M252774 29.34
117 Hecht, Hans-Joachim252658 38.92
118 Csom, István252650 37.58
119 Petrosian, Arshak B252556 24.04
120 Suttles, Duncan252470 32.03
121 Vukcevich, Milan R252463
122 Zhuravliov, Valerij252365 39.05
123 Jansa, Vlastimil252151 35.09
124 Makarichev, Sergey Y252064 24.12
125 Donner, Johannes H251652 50.48
126 Benko, Pal C251655 49.46
127 Knaak, Rainer F251651 24.79
128 Averkin, Orest N251568 33.84
129 Rodriguez, Ruben251573 31.07
130 Ree, Hans251550 33.29
131 Doroshkievich, Vladimir K251464 40.01
132 Quinteros, Miguel A251349 30.01
133 Díez del Corral, Jesús251371 44.73
134 Hermann, Manfred251362 35.33
135 Katalymov, Boris N251170
136 Maric, Rudolf250970 50.63
137 Pribyl, Josef250852 30.22
138 Faragó, Iván250850 31.75
139 Kirov Ivanov, Nino250852 32.31
140 Balinas, Rosendo Carrean250763
141 Antoshin, Vladimir S250768 48.63
142 Suba, Mihai250754 30.58
143 Vukic, Milan250654 34.37
144 Gurgenidze, Bukhuti I250662 44.13
145 Mikhalchishin, Adrian B250571 23.12
146 Ghizdavu, Dumitru250562 28.61
147 Regan, Kenneth250563 18.30
148 Tatai, Stefano250450 39.77
149 Weinstein, Norman250457 27.24
150 Schneider, Lars Ake250361
151 Karaklajic, Nikola250262 51.85
152 Ivanov, Igor V250064 30.97
153 Mariotti, Sergio250053 31.39
154 Dueball, Juergen250068 32.76
155 Keene, Raymond250052
156 Rodriguez, Amador249957 21.31
157 Shamkovich, Leonid A249954 54.58
158 Soltis, Andrew E249758 30.59
159 Bilek, István249757 45.39
160 Lengyel, Levente249755 44.55
161 García Gonzáles, Guillermo249554 24.06
162 Rajkovic, Dusan249454 35.54
163 Schweber, Samuel249357 41.46
164 Peters, John A249357 26.88
165 Piasetski, Leon David249364
166 Simic, Radoslav249366 29.56
167 Calvo Minguez, Ricardo249262 34.19
168 Ghitescu, Theodor249055 43.93
169 Sanguinetti, Renato249060 61.69
170 Ciocaltea, Victor249055 45.95
171 Nemet, Ivan249062 34.71
172 Kaplan, Julio P249055 27.43
173 Barczay, Laszlo248650 41.85
174 Kraidman, Yair248562 45.16
175 Anikaev, Yury248566 29.51
176 Gaprindashvili, Nona248557 36.66
177 Radev, Nikolai248561 39.03
178 Bleiman, Yaacov248475 30.31
179 Nunn, John D M248354 22.68
180 Pereszupkin, Alexander248364
181 Christiansen, Larry M248255 21.51
182 Portisch, Ferenc248255 38.73
183 Hartston, William R248255 30.38
184 Mohrlok, Dieter248168
185 Karner, Hillar248057 42.43
186 Espig, Lutz247952 28.98
187 Zuckerman, Bernard247958 34.75
188 Diesen, Mark C247953
189 Damjanovic, Mato247856 50.77
190 Gerusel, Mathias247757 39.90
191 Antunac, Goran247764 32.71
192 Stoica, Valentin247767 27.87
193 Sofrevski, Jovan247561 42.37
194 Podgaets, Mikhail Y247568 30.44
195 Szekely, Peter247358 22.89
196 Marovic, Dražen247356 39.96
197 Hamann, Svend247372 37.23
198 Cosulich, Roberto247370
199 Vadasz, Laszlo247251 29.92
200 Planinc, Albin247252 33.70
201 Brasket, Curt Justin247267
202 Eolian, Levon S247273 18.29
203 Ciric, Dragoljub M247166 42.13
204 Johannsson, Ingi Randver247171
205 Zilberstein, Valery I246975 34.72
206 Biyiasas, Peter246956 27.12
207 Hernandez, Roman246953 28.11
208 Forintos, Gyözö V246956 42.42
209 Padevsky, Nikola B246657 44.59
210 Spassov, Liuben246553 34.77
211 Janoševic, Dragoljub246459 54.48
212 Mestrovic, Zvonimir246463 33.20
213 Hug, Werner246453 25.31
214 Pintér, József246253 24.14
215 Van Wijgerden, Cornelis246156 27.61
216 Sahovic, Dragutin246158 37.40
217 Kozlov, V.246070
218 Jansson, Borje246071 35.80
219 Hazai, Laszlo246053 24.55
220 Martz, William E246064
221 Rath, Ulrik245967 31.02
222 Westerinen, Heikki MJ245852 33.68
223 Lputian, Smbat G245573 19.87
224 Vaisman, Volodia245564 40.02
225 Szmetan, Jorge245554 27.60
226 Řgaard, Leif245561 25.98
227 Robatsch, Karl245457 49.21
228 Dely, Peter245459 43.49
229 Garcia Martinez, Silvino245158 33.49
230 Rodriguez Vargas, Orestes245161 34.49
231 Honfi, Karoly245154 47.18
232 Bisguier, Arthur B245157 48.23
233 Barle, Janez245054 25.78
234 Dueckstein, Andreas245067 50.41
235 Rukavina, Josip245054 35.09
236 Prandstetter, Eduard244957 29.04
237 Vladimirov, Evgeny Y244869 20.94
238 Castro Rojas, Oscar Humberto244852 24.65
239 Kristiansen, Jens244874 25.60
240 Haag, Ervin244866 44.96
241 Kuijpers, Franciscus Antonius244765
242 Toth, Bela244764 34.70
243 Meduna, Eduard244758 27.30
244 Minic, Dragoljub244659 40.82
245 Popov, Luben244655 41.92
246 Mnatsakanian, Eduard A244562 39.07
247 Mednis, Edmar J244556 40.77
248 Martinovic, Slobodan244558 32.43
249 Langeweg, Kick244554 40.82
250 Estrin, Yacov B244575 54.69
251 Ignatiev, Felix N244472 45.97
252 Cvetkovic, Srdjan244462 31.84
253 Bohosjan, Sarkis244364 36.76
254 Krnic, Zdenko244272 30.25
255 Ungureanu, Emil244267 41.16
256 Pomar Salamanca, Arturo244155 46.33
257 Sydor, Andrzej244158 40.99
258 Matera, Salvatore Joseph244157
259 Bohm, Hans244151 27.95
260 Ermenkov, Evgenij244156 28.26
261 Lakic, Nikola244173 30.46
262 Ivanovic, Božidar244056 31.35
263 Ligterink, Gert244052 28.12
264 Witkowski, Stefan243966 46.26
265 Poutiainen, Pertti243957
266 Mestel, A Jonathan243855 20.80
267 Petkevich, Jusefs243769 37.03
268 Gutman, Lev243759 32.26
269 Lederman, Leon243663 30.60
270 Rohde, Michael A243560 18.35
271 Yanofsky, Daniel A243570 52.76
272 Barcza, Gedeon243563 66.36
273 Augustin, Josef243552 35.62
274 Webb, Simon243453 28.56
275 Khalikian, Ovik243473
276 Efimov, Igor243473 17.29
277 Adamski, Jan243451 34.14
278 Lukacs, Peter243353 27.48
279 Minev, Nikolay N243274 46.97
280 Bellin, Robert243258 25.50
281 Partos, Charles243261 41.39
282 Buljovcic, Ivan243273 41.01
283 Flesch, Janos243258 44.25
284 Hase, Juan Carlos243168
285 Raicevic, Vladimir243154 28.66
286 Guimard, Carlos E243164 64.73
287 Malevinsky, Alexander A243070 27.84
288 Eising, Johannes243064 42.59
289 Grinberg, Ricardo243068 29.96
290 Doda, Zbigniew243055 46.85
291 Ornstein, Axel243052 25.69
292 Bednarski, Jacek B242955 38.80
293 Rogulj, Branko242967 26.41
294 Ostojic, Predrag242853 39.85
295 Messing, Hrvoje242866 37.43
296 Brond, Victor242666
297 Kotov, Alexander A242672 64.38
298 Pytel, Krzysztof242557 32.63
299 Williams, Arthur Howard242567
300 Rubinetti, Jorge A242555 32.75
301 Cobo Arteaga, Eldis242371
302 Liebert, Heinz242253 41.60
303 Pritchett, Craig William242261
304 Kovacs, Laszlo M242257 39.24
305 Wockenfuss, Klaus242162 26.34
306 Kagan, Shimon242053 35.73
307 Garcia, Raimundo242057 41.59
308 Sznapik, Aleksander242054 26.88
309 Soos, Bela242068 47.82
310 Popov, Nikolay242067
311 Pokojowczyk, Jerzy241956 28.85
312 Haygarth, Michael J241775
313 Hartoch, Robert G241755
314 Rossetto, Héctor D241656 55.31
315 McKay, Roderick M241675 25.88
316 Bertok, Mario241366 48.33
317 Bukal, Vladimir Sr241364 38.16
318 Jelen, Iztok241364 30.94
319 Plachetka, Jan241352 32.86
320 Ftácnik, Lubomír241254 20.17
321 Botterill, George Steven241155
322 Rajna, George241160 30.87
323 Lechtynsky, Jiri241056 30.10
324 Peev, Peicho Chonev241057 37.75
325 Marjanovic, Slavoljub241063 22.98
326 Kestler, Hans-Günter241057 38.05
327 van Scheltinga, Tjeerd D240971 63.82
328 Enklaar, Bertus F240959
329 Jamieson, Robert Murray240867
330 Penrose, Jonathan240871 44.23
331 Sunye Neto, Jaime240767 20.66
332 Denker, Arnold S240669 63.85
333 Deze, Anton240661
334 Ostermeyer, Peter240665 34.22
335 Podzielny, Karl Heinz240674 23.31
336 Pavlov, Mircea240573 40.30
337 Spiridonov, Nikola240554 39.84
338 Hindle, Owen M240473 37.80
339 Debarnot, Roberto240457 30.40
340 Basman, Michael J240364 31.79
341 Filipowicz, Andrzej240257 39.63
342 Akvist, Hakan240265 36.18
343 Trapl, Jindrich240262 35.77
344 Speelman, Jonathan S240159 21.25
345 Goodman, David SC240061
346 Garcia, R.239969
347 Balduzzi, Reynaldo239969
348 Lehmann, Heinz Dr239971
349 Schinzel, Wladyslaw239954 34.61
350 Pohla, Harry239862 37.49
351 Ilievski, Dimitar239666 36.35
352 Zichichi, Alvise239668 39.49
353 Garcia Padron, Jose239657 19.77
354 Nicevski, Risto239556 32.51
355 Dake, Arthur William239567 67.73
356 Bronstein, Luis239558 31.58
357 Wirthensohn, Heinz239456 26.66
358 Ghinda, Mihail Viorel239475 28.43
359 Formanek, Edward W239464 35.65
360 Harandi, Khosro239265 27.33
361 Bönsch, Uwe239255 19.21
362 De la Vega, Hector239170 51.79
363 Zwaig, Arne239060
364 Moehring, Guenther239054 41.10
365 Eslon, Jaan238967 25.82
366 Visier Segovia, Fernando238957 34.90
367 Rocha, Antonio238861 33.55
368 Gesos, Pavlos238773 32.60
369 Huss, Andreas238761 27.21
370 Andre, Wolfgang238675 24.79
371 Kozma, Julius238666 48.58
372 Cuasnicu, Oscar238459 35.19
373 Cuartas, Carlos238365 37.38
374 Rantanen, Yrjo A238271 27.69
375 Seirawan, Yasser238267 17.77
376 Wade, Robert Graham238272
377 Kinnmark, Ove238269 33.02
378 Banas, Jan238154 30.58
379 Alexandria, Nana238168 28.22
380 Gasic, Bozidar238065 40.22
381 Zaichik, Gennady L237976 20.88
382 Van Riemsdijk, Herman C237861 29.35
383 Rigo, Janos237860 29.18
384 Sikora Lerch, Jan237755
385 Tompa, Janos237755 30.67
386 Horvath, Tamas237759 26.19
387 Bjelajac, Milan237665 29.80
388 Gofshtein, Leonid D237575 24.69
389 Czerniak, Moshe237470 67.90
390 Heuer, Valter237462 49.46
391 Silva, Fernando237365 27.41
392 Iskov, Gert237367 29.43
393 Lombard, Andre237256 27.28
394 Neckar, Lubomir237164 27.41
395 Macles, Jacques237066 32.48
396 Navarovszky, Laszlo237070 44.74
397 Rayner, Emmanuel236974 19.55
398 Sibarevic, Milenko236973 32.80
399 Kostro, Jerzy236861 40.93
400 Ek, Hans236770 49.23
401 Bellon Lopez, Juan Manuel236753 27.65
402 Onat, Ilhan236772 48.07
403 Casas, Fernando236673 51.36
404 Emma, Jaime J236464 39.95
405 Szymczak, Zbigniew236458 25.98
406 Garcia, Wilfredo236373 23.11
407 Ervin, Roy C236366 26.98
408 Mihaljcisin, Mihajlo236273 44.85
409 Tisdall, Jonathan D236261 19.35
410 Zinn, Lothar236263 39.78
411 Hesse, Peter236263 33.26
412 Van Baarle, C John236063 32.70
413 Fedorowicz, John P236055 19.26
414 Whiteley, Andrew J236062 30.56
415 Lanc, Alois236067 29.86
416 Szilágyi, György236057 56.49
417 Haik, Aldo235963 25.20
418 Van der Vliet, Fredrik235960
419 Akopian, Gagik235873 36.45
420 Sapi, Laszlo235758 42.78
421 Grabczewski, Romuald235672 45.89
422 Segal, Alexandru Sorin235564 30.24
423 Corden, Martyn J235565
424 Orso, Miklos235564 21.56
425 Fichtl, Jirí235461 56.87
426 Kristiansen, Erling235473 41.04
427 Donchenko, Anatoly G235368 37.33
428 Dieks, Roy G235373 21.91
429 Heinicke, Herbert T235269 72.80
430 Levy, David Neil Lawrence234971
431 Maciejewski, Andrzej234962 26.48
432 Knox, Victor W234767 32.93
433 Tan Lian Ann234666
434 Kaiszauri, Konstanty234567 25.18
435 Mascarinas, Rico234462 24.83
436 Schaufelberger, Heinz234269 30.12
437 Klaric, Zlatko234176 21.19
438 Estevez Morales, Guillermo234156
439 Taulbut, Shaun M234071 19.96
440 Boudy, Julio233965 26.55
441 Kluger, Guyla233962 63.95
442 Cording, Harm233867 40.97
443 Fuller, Maxwell L233865 32.92
444 Brkljaca, Ante233868 24.15
445 Rostalski, Walter233769 24.97
446 Kushnir, Alla233771
447 Brondum, Eric233671 36.04
448 Pesantes Carbajal, Carlos233572
449 Jancev, Lazo233571
450 De Greif, Boris233471 47.88
451 Garcia Palermo, Carlos233462 24.08
452 Rosenlund, Thorbjorn233175 26.54
453 Clemens, Christian233165 37.40
454 Trois, Francisco RT233059
455 Baumbach, Friedrich233062 42.31
456 Bernard, Ryszard233070 33.36
457 Manasterski, Lutoslaw232871 40.88
458 Taruffi, Daniele232875 19.32
459 Borkowski, Franciszek232765 20.42
460 Boersma, Paulus A232763 29.46
461 Fedder, Steen232775 26.55
462 Petran, Pal232656 31.29
463 Franco Ocampos, Zenon232665 21.63
464 Kuligowski, Adam232468 22.02
465 Law, Andrew P232470 27.48
466 Day, Lawrence A232368 28.91
467 Trabattoni, Franco232269 21.63
468 Lambert, Glenn EJ232258
469 Povah, Nigel E232065 25.45
470 Cleghorn, Peter232074
471 Gereben, Ernö232073 70.54
472 Cardoso, Radolfo Tan231967
473 Verduga, Denis Homero231769
474 Camara, Helder231663 40.89
475 Kollberg, Lothar231667
476 Spacek, Petr231574 23.84
477 Gruenberg, Hans Ulrich231464 21.97
478 Rumens, David E231363 38.27
479 Martin Gonzalez, Angel231358 24.99
480 Franzen, Jozef231367 31.90
481 Seidler, Aldo231360
482 Thomas, Richard231275
483 Medina García, Antonio A231273 58.25
484 Niklasson, Christer231268 24.98
485 Van der Sterren, Paul231059 21.79
486 Fraguela Gil, Jose Miguel230960
487 Jankovec, Ivan230961 39.20
488 Govedarica, Radovan230859 29.87
489 Schmidt, Bodo230873 27.70
490 Lebredo, Gerardo230855 27.41
491 Braun, Gottfried230765 44.50
492 Menvielle Lacourrelle, Augusto230466 39.38
493 Drvota, Antonin230166
494 Alster, Ladislav230166 50.75
495 Dietze, Wolfgang230161 27.53
496 Cibulka, Vladimir230165 36.16
497 Eperjesi, Laszlo229959 34.62
498 Cafferty, Bernard229960 43.51
499 Mueller, Klaus Uwe229961
500 Nowak, Ignacy229867 28.96

These ratings, calculated as of December 31, 1977, incorporate all games (against rated opponents) played in the time between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1977, along with the ratings that were already calculated as of December 31, 1976. Players who have played an insufficient number of games in recent years will not appear on the list, even though you may see them on previous and/or subsequent lists. Any players who have been completely inactive for three years are removed from the list.

Definition of columns in the above list:

# refers to the player's world rank on this list.

Player is the full name of the player. Click on the player's name to see a career progression of the player's ratings.

Rating is the calculated rating for the player, as of December 31, 1977. This represents the player's estimated strength on January 1, 1978.

+/- is the standard deviation of the player's rating estimate. It is based on a geometric average of the number of rated games played in past years. Players who play very frequently will have a smaller +/- value, indicating a greater confidence in the accuracy of their rating. Players whose +/- value exceeds 76 are classified as "inactive" and removed from the ranking list due to their infrequent play against rated opponents. Mathematically, a player's rating is an estimate of their exact strength on January 1, 1978. The +/- value represents the standard deviation of that estimate; the player's true strength on January 1, 1978 should be within one standard deviation of their calculated rating approximately 68% of the time, and within two standard deviations of their calculated rating approximately 95% of the time.

Best? is the estimated likelihood that the player was actually the strongest player in the world on January 1, 1978. Since ratings are known to be inaccurate, it is possible that a lower-rated player is actually much stronger than their rating would indicate, and it is also possible that other players are weaker than their ratings would indicate. This number indicates the likelihood that the player is indeed the strongest player in the world. On a particular list, it will add up to 100% across the complete list of all players. This value is only calculated for the top 100 players on any rating list.

75%? gives a 75%-confidence world ranking for the player. Because ratings are known to be inaccurate, even if a particular player is rated third in the world, we cannot say with 100% certainty that they are truly one of the three strongest players in the world. This number indicates the world rank that we are 75% sure the player is "no worse than". Thus if a player has a value of #12 in this column, we are 75% sure that the player is one of the twelve strongest players in the world. This value is only calculated for the top 100 players on any rating list.

Age is the player's exact age in years, on December 31, 1977. If a player's age is displayed as a link, that means that this rating was active at the time of their next birthday. Click on the link to see the sorted list of all players' ratings on their birthdays when turning that same age.

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