Hi,

Until about six months or so ago, my tournamente entry rating was about 1700, so I would play in the 1650 to 1775 rating band.

Since then, my rating has increased, and my tournament entry rating is now in the 1800s. The problem with the banded tournaments is that the top band is always 1750+ (or something to that effect). This means that every octet in that band, (or other tournament) will have, or at least can have, several players rated 2100+.

I don't know if other players agree with this, but I have found that the difference in strength between a 1800 and a 2100-2200 is tremendous, and if a player rated 1800 were to play 10 games against a player rated 2200, the 1800 might get a win and a draw, if he were lucky. Why do other band usually only cover about 150 points, while this one covers about 500?

I recently requested a specific thematic tournament, and when I joined my octet, I found that the first three players to join were all rated over 2000, with one rated about 2200. Sure, I'll still play, and I'm sure I'll learn something, but I'd say my chances of winning any banded tournament in this band are about nil.

So, I'm suggesting that we add another band for the banded octets. Usually, the top band is 1750+, so why don't we make one that's 1750 - 1900? and perhaps another that is 1900-2050?

I feel this would give players in the 1800 range a much better chance at winning tournaments.

Cheers

A problem is the relative lack of players at that level (or lack of such players who want to play tournaments). Notice that all the other bands, save the one right below yours, is already filled up.

Thats true, but that tournament has been up for less than 12 hours...I think waiting a few days would be worth it.

Originally posted by Jasen777
A problem is the relative lack of players at that level (or lack of such players who want to play tournaments). Notice that all the other bands, save the one right below yours, is already filled up.