July FIDE Rating List: Four Things

See the ChessBase story regarding Magnus' amazing attainment, which is now official.  Note several things about this all-time top ten list.  First, Carlsen's achievement at 19 is nothing short of amazing.  I anxiously wait to see just how much he will achieve.  Second, taken by itself, Fischer's inclusion on this list 38 years after reaching his peak rating is also amazing, but it is particularly so when one accounts for almost 40 years of inflation.  If memory serves, Fischer actually lost rating points by defeating World Champion Spassky.  Third, Kasparov's and Karpov's positions on the list are noteworthy because of the age of their ratings.  Karpov remains in the top ten despite the lapse of sixteen years and the attendant inflation, and Kasparov still holds the first position eleven years after his peak.  Neither Carlsen, nor anyone else, will likely bump him down anytime soon.  Finally, only one country has more than one player on this list.  Unsurprisingly, it is Russia with four.

The Top 20 rated U.S. players in the International Correspondence Chess Federation

1. GM Timm, John C. 68 2642
2. GM Zilberberg, Alik Samulovich 138 2613
3. GM Fleetwood, Daniel M. 249 2578
4. GM Bokar, Dr. Jason 286 2576
5. SM Murray, Tim 79 2567
6. IM duCret, René P. 116 2549
7. GM Duliba, Dr. Edward P. 326 2548
8. SM Ham, Stephen E. 99 2535
9. SM Edwards, Jon 160 2525
10. SM Sergel, Christopher T. 118 2520
11. SM Kubach, Gary L. 220 2511
12. SM Weisskohl, Jerry 140 2511
13. SM Jones, Stephen L. 97 2505
14. SM Parnas, Dr. Anatole 71 2503
15. Schmidt, Randy 38 2501
16. IM Holzmueller, Keith 76 2500
17. SM Ostriker, Jon 108 2493
18. GM Palciauskas, Vytas Victor 218 2488
19. SM Zavanelli, Prof. Max E. 179 2483
20. SM Millstone, Dr. Michael 213 2479

The ICCF is to the USCF for correspondence chess as FIDE is to the USCF for over the board chess. Anyone who is a member of the USCF can play international correspondence chess through the ICCF. ICCF awards the titles of Grandmaster, Senior Master, and International Master. If you want to give it a try and can't figure out how to get started, drop a comment here.