BMPS (before my pawn star) I noticed the rating on several players I regularly played fluctuated significantly ! AMPS (after my pawn star) and I was able to join tournaments I realized why! My rating dropped faster than the Canadian dollar, from 1470's to just below 1400 in a week and I was beginning to wonder if there was going to be life after chess.....it's temporarily at 1460 but the ride was wild ! Gotta find me a good chess book !