The Elo Rating system is a method to rate players in chess and other competitive games. A new player starts with a rating of 1000. This rating will go up if ...
Youtube user singingbanana is a mathmematician who produces videos breaking down math concepts so that they are digestible.
In this video he breaks down the Elo rating system. A method for calculating the relative skill levels of players, it was originally invented by Arpad Elo, it replaced The Harkness system. Implemented in 1960 by the USCF, it was immediately considered fairer - with win / loss point distribution being determined by opponent strength; the difference between the ratings of the players affects these variables. In the calculations, higher rated players, with the expected outcome of the win, will affect the transfer of points much less than in the case of an upset win, with the weaker player defeating or drawing the stronger opponent.
While originally used for chess, the Elo rating system now has broader applications, used as a competitive rating and predictive system for sports and other games.
He’s recently covered other interesting chess concepts as well - namely Wythoff’s Game and The Infinite Game of Chess.