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Top 10 active players as of December 31, 1980


Top 500 active players as of December 31, 1980

  #  

Player Rating +/- Best? 75%? Age
1 Karpov, Anatoly E27874949.7% #329.61
2 Korchnoi, Viktor L27484917.1% #849.77
3 Portisch, Lajos2712495.1% #1743.74
4 Kasparov, Garry K2709535.4% #1817.72
5 Polugaevsky, Lev A2699503.3% #2146.11
6 Spassky, Boris V2693502.4% #2443.91
7 Beliavsky, Alexander G2693492.3% #2427.04
8 Timman, Jan H2682471.2% #2829.05
9 Hübner, Robert2680491.3% #3032.15
10 Romanishin, Oleg M2678491.2% #3128.97
11 Tal, Mikhail2672491.0% #3444.14
12 Petrosian, Tigran V2671501.0% #3551.54
13 Andersson, Ulf2661480.4% #3929.51
14 Mecking, Henrique2656712.4% #5428.93
15 Geller, Efim P2653510.4% #4655.83
16 Balashov, Yury S2652490.3% #4631.80
17 Ljubojevic, Ljubomir2651490.3% #4630.16
18 Jussupow, Artur M2651520.4% #4820.88
19 Larsen, Bent2650480.3% #4745.82
20 Dolmatov, Sergey V2641510.3% #5421.86
21 Gulko, Boris F2641570.4% #5733.89
22 Hort, Vlastimil2641480.1% #5336.96
23 Vaganian, Rafael A2640490.1% #5429.21
24 Miles, Anthony J2637480.1% #5625.69
25 Kuzmin, Gennady P2637510.1% #5734.94
26 Psakhis, Lev B2636550.3% #6022.09
27 Ribli, Zoltán2634500.2% #5929.32
28 Tseshkovsky, Vitaly V2633490.1% #5936.27
29 Gufeld, Eduard E2630530.2% #6444.78
30 Sosonko, Gennadi2630490.1% #6237.62
31 Sveshnikov, Evgeny E2630510.1% #6330.89
32 Vasiukov, Evgeny A2621550.1% #7247.82
33 Kupreichik, Viktor D2619530.1% #7231.49
34 Lerner, Konstantin Z2619550.1% #7530.84
35 Kholmov, Ratmir D2619600.2% #7755.63
36 Rashkovsky, Nukhim N261452 #7634.70
37 Savon, Vladimir A2614560.1% #7940.26
38 Gheorghiu, Florin261350 #7636.73
39 Mikhalchishin, Adrian B2611530.1% #8026.12
40 Dzindzichashvili, Roman Y2611550.1% #8136.65
41 Kochiev, Alexander2610570.1% #8324.77
42 Smyslov, Vassily V260953 #8259.77
43 Sax, Gyula260950 #8029.54
44 Panchenko, Alexander N2609540.1% #8327.24
45 Dvoretsky, Mark I2607680.3% #9333.06
46 Unzicker, Wolfgang2604560.1% #8855.51
47 Eingorn, Viacheslav S2601590.1% #9224.10
48 Ivkov, Borislav260150 #8747.13
49 Dorfman, Iosif D2601530.1% #8928.66
50 Parma, Bruno2599570.1% #9339.00
51 Palatnik, Semen A2598640.1% #9930.76
52 Yurtaev, Leonid2597620.1% #9821.66
53 Kurajica, Bojan259653 #9433.13
54 Browne, Walter S259449 #9231.97
55 Gipslis, Aivars2594640.1% #10243.90
56 Alburt, Lev O259451 #9435.36
57 Bagirov, Vladimir K259255 #9944.37
58 Seirawan, Yasser259152 #9720.77
59 Makarichev, Sergey Y259053 #9927.12
60 Petrosian, Arshak B258960 #10427.04
61 Kavalek, Lubomir258850 #10037.39
62 Tarjan, James E258357 #10828.86
63 Nunn, John D M258251 #10525.68
64 Liberzon, Vladimir M257851 #10943.77
65 Smejkal, Jan257750 #11034.77
66 Adorján, András257650 #11130.75
67 Razuvaev, Yury S257551 #11235.22
68 Taimanov, Mark E257561 #11854.90
69 Bronstein, David I257457 #11756.87
70 Georgadze, Tamaz V257453 #11433.14
71 Gligoric, Svetozar257250 #11457.91
72 Szabó, László257165 #12463.78
73 Matanovic, Aleksandar256863 #12650.61
74 Olafsson, Fridrik256855 #12145.92
75 Tukmakov, Vladimir B256852 #12034.79
76 Veingold, Aleksander256767 #12927.22
77 Vitolinš, Alvis256558 #12534.54
78 Ftácnik, Lubomír256551 #12123.17
79 Darga, Klaus V256365 #13246.85
80 Evans, Larry M256262 #13048.77
81 Byrne, Robert E256151 #12552.70
82 Quinteros, Miguel A256050 #12633.01
83 Torre, Eugenio255950 #12729.16
84 Stean, Michael F255850 #12827.32
85 Kapengut, Albert Z255768 #14036.49
86 Ivanov, Igor V2555710.1% #14333.97
87 Lombardy, William J255559 #13643.07
88 Kharitonov, Andrey Y255359 #13721.74
89 Pachmann, Ludek255359 #13856.64
90 Panno, Oscar R255151 #13445.79
91 Filip, Miroslav255167 #14452.18
92 Tseitlin, Mikhail S255156 #13833.54
93 Grigorian, Karen A255154 #13733.32
94 Antoshin, Vladimir S255060 #14151.63
95 Csom, István254750 #13840.58
96 Matulovic, Milan254762 #14445.56
97 Tringov, Georgy P254758 #14343.82
98 Nemet, Ivan254558 #14437.71
99 Speelman, Jonathan S254450 #14024.25
100 Najdorf, Miguel254454 #14370.71
101 Timoshchenko, Gennady254458 31.68
102 Lein, Anatoly254351 49.76
103 Knaak, Rainer F254050 27.79
104 Nei, Iivo253765 49.17
105 Uhlmann, Wolfgang253651 45.76
106 Faragó, Iván253550 34.75
107 Bukic, Enver253557 43.08
108 Nikolac, Juraj253457 48.69
109 Zaltsman, Vitaly F253456 39.18
110 Kaplan, Julio P253361 30.43
111 Ubilava, Elizbar E253366 30.34
112 Anikaev, Yury253362 32.51
113 Kovacevic, Vladimir253256 38.76
114 Rogoff, Kenneth S253161 27.77
115 Peresipkin, Vladimir253170
116 Murey, Yakov253070 39.41
117 Pfleger, Helmut252958 37.40
118 Reshevsky, Samuel H252960 69.10
119 Lukin, Andrei M252968 32.34
120 Ivanov, Alexander V252556 24.66
121 Vokác, Marek252560 22.07
122 Lputian, Smbat G252453 22.88
123 Gruenfeld, Yehuda252456 24.84
124 Vukic, Milan252356 37.37
125 Ree, Hans252249 36.29
126 Vogt, Lothar H252149 28.95
127 Shamkovich, Leonid A252152 57.58
128 Chernin, Alexander M252072 20.82
129 Stoica, Valentin252062 30.88
130 Keene, Raymond251953
131 Zaitsev, Igor A251854 42.59
132 Suetin, Alexey S251854 54.12
133 Bleiman, Yaacov251765 33.31
134 Magerramov, Elmar S251758 22.72
135 van der Wiel, John T H251750 21.39
136 Klovans, Janis251761 45.73
137 Lutikov, Anatoly S251666 47.90
138 Schneider, Lars Ake251654
139 Popov, Luben251557 44.92
140 Christiansen, Larry M251453 24.51
141 Díez del Corral, Jesús251362 47.73
142 Suba, Mihai251353 33.58
143 Biyiasas, Peter251253 30.12
144 Moiseev, Oleg L251272 55.65
145 Velimirovic, Dragoljub251053 38.63
146 Weinstein, Norman251069 30.24
147 Tatai, Stefano250957 42.77
148 Kakageldyev, Amanmurad250871 31.01
149 Marjanovic, Slavoljub250852 25.98
150 Ermenkov, Evgenij250752 31.26
151 Averkin, Orest N250775 36.85
152 Gurgenidze, Bukhuti I250771 47.13
153 Donner, Johannes H250757 53.48
154 Knezevic, Milorad250653 44.17
155 Pintér, József250654 27.14
156 Radulov, Ivan250456 41.98
157 Malich, Burkhard G250462 44.09
158 Makropoulos, Georgios250460 27.26
159 Benko, Pal C250359 52.46
160 Mnatsakanian, Eduard A250258 42.07
161 Espig, Lutz250152 31.98
162 Sturua, Zurab250065 21.56
163 Kraidman, Yair250065 48.16
164 Marangunic, Srdjan250067 37.17
165 Langeweg, Kick250053 43.82
166 Popovic, Petar249954 21.88
167 Schmidt, Wlodzimierz249951 37.72
168 Chekhov, Valery A249959 25.09
169 Agzamov, Georgy T249961 26.32
170 Lukacs, Peter249652 30.48
171 Ungureanu, Emil249672 44.16
172 Jansson, Borje249572 38.80
173 Bilek, István249467 48.39
174 Polovodin, Igor A249368 25.77
175 Sunye Neto, Jaime249352 23.66
176 Barczay, Laszlo249352 44.86
177 Ghinda, Mihail Viorel249255 31.43
178 Plachetka, Jan249250 35.87
179 Zilberstein, Valery I248969 37.72
180 Vorotnikov, Vladislav V248873 33.37
181 Ornstein, Axel248755 28.69
182 Peters, John A248753 29.89
183 Wedberg, Tom248755 27.10
184 García Gonzáles, Guillermo248755 27.06
185 Regan, Kenneth248664 21.30
186 Hulak, Krunoslav248565 29.60
187 Padevsky, Nikola B248559 47.59
188 Vladimirov, Evgeny Y248468 23.94
189 Rogulj, Branko248457 29.41
190 Mednis, Edmar J248257 43.77
191 Hecht, Hans-Joachim248262 41.92
192 Soltis, Andrew E248268 33.59
193 Grefe, John A248165 33.32
194 Kuligowski, Adam248152 25.02
195 Platonov, Igor V248160 46.95
196 Robatsch, Karl248058 52.21
197 Ciocaltea, Victor247955 48.95
198 Řgaard, Leif247863 28.98
199 Musil, Vojko247869 35.37
200 Diesen, Mark C247861
201 Zuckerman, Bernard247872 37.75
202 Lechtynsky, Jiri247853 33.10
203 Gaprindashvili, Nona247866 39.66
204 Hermann, Manfred247775 38.33
205 Petkevich, Jusefs247770 40.03
206 Mariotti, Sergio247758 34.39
207 Marovic, Dražen247762 42.96
208 Petrushin, Alexander I247758 33.81
209 Inkiov, Ventzislav247756 24.62
210 Ivanovic, Božidar247752 34.35
211 Minic, Dragoljub247667 43.82
212 Sigurjónsson, Gudmundur247653 33.27
213 Sahovic, Dragutin247556 40.40
214 Hazai, Laszlo247558 27.55
215 Rodriguez, Amador247559 24.31
216 Lederman, Leon247568 33.60
217 Commons, Kim S247474 29.44
218 Kirov Ivanov, Nino247452 35.31
219 Piesina, Gintautas247475 28.73
220 Zaichik, Gennady L247363 23.89
221 Bönsch, Uwe247252 22.21
222 Gutman, Lev246867 35.26
223 Spassov, Liuben246851 37.77
224 Karaklajic, Nikola246770 54.85
225 Damjanovic, Mato246763 53.77
226 Rytov, Boris246669
227 Van Wijgerden, Cornelis246656 30.61
228 Hamann, Svend246667 40.23
229 Karlsson, Lars246552 25.47
230 Forintos, Gyözö V246560 45.42
231 Vooremaa, Andres246569 36.45
232 Georgiev, Krum246464 22.60
233 Raicevic, Vladimir246360 31.66
234 Schweber, Samuel246359 44.46
235 Bisguier, Arthur B246359 51.23
236 Gavrikov, Victor N246263 23.42
237 Portisch, Ferenc246257 41.73
238 Qi Jingxuan246266 33.14
239 Jelen, Iztok246168 33.94
240 Podzielny, Karl Heinz246162 26.31
241 Bradford, Joseph M246162 30.16
242 Feustel, Bernd246170 26.28
243 Hartston, William R246057 33.38
244 Ligterink, Gert246050 31.12
245 Szekely, Peter245960 25.90
246 Cebalo, Mišo245872 35.90
247 Rajkovic, Dusan245857 38.54
248 Birnboim, Nathan245763 30.09
249 Jakobsen, Ole245656 38.20
250 Luczak, Andrzej245652 32.07
251 Cramling, Dan245661 21.90
252 Kaufman, Larry C245666 33.13
253 Messing, Hrvoje245573 40.43
254 Hernandez, Roman245558 31.11
255 Mestel, A Jonathan245552 23.80
256 Chiburdanidze, Maia G245554 19.95
257 Zapata, Alonso245458 22.36
258 Gerusel, Mathias245466 42.90
259 Myagmarsuren, Lhamsuren245375 42.87
260 Bohm, Hans245351 30.95
261 Lengyel, Levente245156 47.55
262 Jansa, Vlastimil245051 38.09
263 Prandstetter, Eduard244952 32.04
264 Chandler, Murray G244952 20.74
265 Hennings, Artur244974 40.47
266 Zichichi, Alvise244962 42.49
267 Pétursson, Margeir244855 20.88
268 Hug, Werner244858 28.31
269 Ambroz, Jan244856 26.54
270 Ghitescu, Theodor244755 46.93
271 Mochalov, Evgeny V244769 29.17
272 Kunsztowicz, Uwe244764 36.95
273 Garcia, Gildardo244761 26.81
274 Honfi, Karoly244768 50.18
275 Planinc, Albin244660 36.70
276 Guimard, Carlos E244674 67.73
277 Castro Rojas, Oscar Humberto244558 27.65
278 Arnason, Jon L244552 20.13
279 Velikov, Petar244467 29.75
280 Jamieson, Robert Murray244467
281 Szmetan, Jorge244457 30.60
282 Gruenberg, Hans Ulrich244458 24.97
283 Spiridonov, Nikola244454 42.84
284 Rodriguez Vargas, Orestes244460 37.49
285 Sideif Sade, Fikret I244358 28.99
286 Garcia, Raimundo244367 44.59
287 Hausner, Ivan244356 28.71
288 Krnic, Zdenko244274 33.25
289 Plaskett, Jim244264 20.79
290 Vadasz, Laszlo244253 32.92
291 Duer, Arne244165 21.47
292 Westerinen, Heikki MJ244154 36.68
293 Rukavina, Josip244071 38.09
294 Rodriguez, Ruben244068 34.07
295 Cámpora, Daniel H244063 23.50
296 Groszpeter, Attila243854 20.56
297 Wittmann, Walter243865 32.80
298 Adamski, Jan243752 37.14
299 Doda, Zbigniew243664 49.86
300 Kristiansen, Jens243654 28.60
301 Kestler, Hans-Günter243670 41.05
302 Debarnot, Roberto243661 33.40
303 Taruffi, Daniele243571 22.32
304 Taulbut, Shaun M243460 22.96
305 Borik, Otto243462 33.27
306 Pomar Salamanca, Arturo243466 49.33
307 Pytel, Krzysztof243457 35.63
308 Wirthensohn, Heinz243462 29.66
309 Haik, Aldo243464 28.20
310 Ostojic, Predrag243365 42.86
311 Liebert, Heinz243268 44.60
312 Wockenfuss, Klaus243268 29.34
313 Joksic, Sinisa243265 40.22
314 Sydor, Andrzej243262 43.99
315 Brinck Claussen, Bjorn243259
316 Bertok, Mario243176 51.33
317 Schussler, Harry243154 23.52
318 Strauss, David J243166 34.40
319 Dely, Peter243174 46.49
320 Lakic, Nikola243068 33.46
321 Pribyl, Josef243052 33.22
322 Svensson, Bengt243074 20.48
323 Azmaiparashvili, Zurab A243069 20.79
324 Bellin, Robert243053 28.50
325 Matera, Salvatore Joseph242964
326 Clemens, Christian242967 40.40
327 Bednarski, Jacek B242859 41.80
328 Balinas, Rosendo Carrean242665
329 Rubinetti, Jorge A242557 35.75
330 Klaric, Zlatko242567 24.19
331 Tompa, Janos242558 33.67
332 Martinovic, Slobodan242558 35.43
333 Sznapik, Aleksander242451 29.89
334 Barle, Janez242362 28.78
335 Kuijpers, Franciscus Antonius242363
336 Sisniega, Marcel242166 21.43
337 Botterill, George Steven242163
338 Renman, Nils Gustaf242160
339 Webb, Simon242163 31.56
340 Vilela, Jose Luis242153 27.78
341 Watson, John L242068 29.32
342 Harandi, Khosro241967 30.33
343 Trapl, Jindrich241760 38.77
344 Hansson, Dan241769 28.56
345 Garcia Martinez, Silvino241655 36.49
346 Toth, Bela241659 37.70
347 Meduna, Eduard241555 30.30
348 Rocha, Antonio241567 36.55
349 Ioseliani, Nana241563 18.88
350 Bukal, Vladimir Sr241565 41.16
351 Burger, Karl241567 47.94
352 Rohde, Michael A241472 21.35
353 Pavlov, Mircea241463 43.30
354 Nikolic, Predrag241467 20.30
355 Pritchett, Craig William241364
356 Ostermeyer, Peter241375 37.22
357 Fedder, Steen241358 29.55
358 Van der Sterren, Paul241353 24.79
359 Augustin, Josef241259 38.62
360 Ilic, Zoran241273 17.41
361 Minev, Nikolay N241265 49.97
362 Rantanen, Yrjo A241261 30.69
363 Ciric, Dragoljub M241169 45.13
364 Tischbierek, Raj241160 18.27
365 Littlewood, Paul E241157 24.95
366 Bohosjan, Sarkis241068 39.76
367 Hoelzl, Franz241056 34.73
368 Cvetkovic, Srdjan240969 34.84
369 Fedorowicz, John P240956 22.26
370 Djuric, Stefan240965 25.43
371 deFirmian, Nicholas E240861 23.43
372 Lobron, Eric240763 20.65
373 Cuartas, Carlos240660 40.38
374 Bielczyk, Jacek240554 27.86
375 Janoševic, Dragoljub240563 57.48
376 Franco Ocampos, Zenon240461 24.63
377 Horvath, Tamas240460 29.19
378 Enklaar, Bertus F240464
379 Nogueiras, Jesus240463 21.45
380 Pokojowczyk, Jerzy240354 31.86
381 Hartoch, Robert G240262
382 Hase, Juan Carlos240263
383 Swic, Waldemar240265 27.81
384 Bouaziz, Slim240263 30.71
385 Welin, Thomas240264 21.32
386 Tomaszewski, Roman240257 20.62
387 Dueckstein, Andreas240171 53.41
388 Emma, Jaime J240159 42.95
389 Iskov, Gert239855 32.43
390 Lau, Ralf239864 21.20
391 Gonsior, Evzen239861 49.07
392 Lombard, Andre239874 30.28
393 Henley, Ron W239865 24.07
394 Vera, Reynaldo239773 19.98
395 Franklin, Michael J239765 49.91
396 Rumens, David E239669 41.27
397 Garcia Palermo, Carlos239661 27.08
398 Dobosz, Henryk239355 27.78
399 Hoi, Carsten239356 23.95
400 Nun, Jiri239360 23.43
401 Garcia Padron, Jose239376 22.77
402 Gruchacz, Robert239265 27.09
403 Van der Vliet, Fredrik239060
404 Kagan, Shimon239056 38.73
405 Law, Andrew P239073 30.48
406 Nicevski, Risto239060 35.51
407 Van Riemsdijk, Herman C239057 32.35
408 Ost Hansen, Jacob239072
409 Morris, Walter D239059 22.33
410 Lanka, Zigurds238869 20.61
411 Przewoznik, Jan238856 23.29
412 Flear, Glenn C238867 21.88
413 Grigorov, Jordan N238765 27.06
414 Peev, Peicho Chonev238775 40.75
415 Banas, Jan238755 33.58
416 Odendahl, Steven M238761 21.18
417 Despotovic, Momcilo238769 32.83
418 Brondum, Eric238665 39.04
419 Sloth, Jorn238663 36.32
420 Visier Segovia, Fernando238573 37.91
421 Jacobsen, Bo238575 32.05
422 Bergstrom, Christer238571 22.26
423 Foygel, Igor238572
424 Sibarevic, Milenko238469 35.80
425 Borm, Franciscus WM238362
426 Cappello, Renato238369
427 Short, Nigel D238357 15.58
428 Hansen, Curt238369 16.29
429 Skrobek, Ryszard238357 29.49
430 Bronstein, Luis238259 34.58
431 Helmers, Knut J238262 23.90
432 Coudari, Camille238266 29.42
433 Szymczak, Zbigniew238267 28.98
434 Moehring, Guenther238158 44.10
435 Maksimovic, Branimir238171 25.37
436 Hebert, Jean237959 23.14
437 Lanc, Alois237975 32.87
438 Danner, Georg237958 34.18
439 Segal, Alexandru Sorin237959 33.24
440 Lieb, Harald237965 46.02
441 Bellon Lopez, Juan Manuel237657 30.65
442 Filguth, Rubens A237665 24.77
443 Wahlbom, Magnus237570 35.63
444 Fries Nielsen, Jens Ove237554 20.86
445 Cording, Harm237466 43.97
446 Sapi, Laszlo237463 45.78
447 Wibe, Terje237375 33.23
448 Schiffer, Karl Josef237372
449 Mascarinas, Rico237367 27.83
450 Mišta, Ladislav237366 37.17
451 Angantysson, Haukur237161 32.08
452 Schinzel, Wladyslaw237152 37.61
453 Kaiszauri, Konstanty237057 28.18
454 Basman, Michael J237066 34.79
455 Biriescu, Ioan237069 27.18
456 Rigo, Janos236958 32.18
457 Goodman, David SC236966
458 Cuasnicu, Oscar236866 38.19
459 Jamroz, Zbigniew236871 46.55
460 Mortensen, Erling236756 25.74
461 Paehtz, Thomas Sr236763 24.32
462 Soos, Bela236672 50.82
463 Adamski, Andrzej236560 41.96
464 Andres Mendez, Miguel236470
465 Whiteley, Andrew J236473 33.56
466 Bojkovic, Slobodan236475 35.43
467 Goehring, Karl Heinz236468
468 Kastner, Jeffrey236473 30.96
469 Balshan, Amikam236466
470 Benjamin, Joel L236360 16.80
471 Ristic, Nenad236371 22.12
472 Sikora Lerch, Jan236256
473 Fuller, Maxwell L236256 35.92
474 Rajna, George236262 33.88
475 Frias, Victor J236268 24.89
476 Neckar, Lubomir236168 30.41
477 De Bruycker, Bernard236070 39.54
478 Scheeren, Peter235959 25.42
479 Petran, Pal235958 34.29
480 Cooper, John Grantley235870
481 Akesson, Ralf235764 19.90
482 Root, Douglas235766 17.88
483 Filipowicz, Andrzej235666 42.63
484 Hvenekilde, Jorgen235666 45.34
485 Orso, Miklos235666 24.56
486 Kengis, Edvins235471 21.72
487 Rossetto, Héctor D235365 58.31
488 Ionescu, Constantin235367 22.30
489 Lekander, Rolf235265 33.99
490 Watzka, Horst235174 42.30
491 Hess, Ralf235062 36.76
492 Giardelli, Sergio C235056 25.51
493 Giffard, Nicolas235068 30.24
494 Day, Lawrence A234964 31.91
495 Barreras, Alberto234975 29.74
496 Gross, Stefan234961 31.34
497 Shirazi, Kamran G234871 28.11
498 Szilágyi, György234766 59.49
499 Formanek, Edward W234766 38.65
500 Holm, Sejer234765 41.39

These ratings, calculated as of December 31, 1980, incorporate all games (against rated opponents) played in the time between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1980, along with the ratings that were already calculated as of December 31, 1979. 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, 1980. This represents the player's estimated strength on January 1, 1981.

+/- 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, 1981. The +/- value represents the standard deviation of that estimate; the player's true strength on January 1, 1981 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, 1981. 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, 1980. 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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