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Expected points over a run

Set your rating gap to the field and how many games you'll play, and see the score you should expect — plus the range it can realistically swing across.

Rating difference (you − field)

How you rate against the average opponent in the event.

Games in the run

A weekend Swiss is usually 5–9 rounds.

Expected score
4.5 / 9
most likely total
Per game
50%
expected points
Likely range
3–6
≈ ±1 std dev
Even score is
4.5
the 50% mark
Expected points0 … 9 games

The single number hides the spread: even as a clear favourite, a short event can swing a point or more either way. Use the range, not the point estimate, to set expectations — and remember one bad round is noise, not a verdict.

Straight answers

Why show a range instead of one number?

Because a short event is noisy. Even a clear favourite can finish a point above or below their expected score just from variance. The range (about one standard deviation) is a more honest expectation than the single point.

Does it account for draws?

The expected score does. The spread uses a simple win/loss variance model, so it slightly overstates the swing when draws are common — treat it as a rough band, not a precise interval.

Educational chess content. Rating math uses the standard Elo model; results are estimates and vary by federation, pool and time control.