Is Beth Harmon's First US Chess Rating of 1881 Realistic?

Beth Harmon's first US Chess rating of 1881 has sparked debates among chess enthusiasts and scholars. The average rating for a new player in their first tournament is typically much lower, often around 1200-1400. This suggests that Beth would have had a strong understanding of chess fundamentals and strategies, possibly indicating prior informal experience or training. But is such a high rating realistic for a complete novice?

Realistic Ranking for New Players

The average ratings for first-timers often fall between 1200 and 1400. These ratings are influenced by the players' prior knowledge, practice, and experience. Since Beth’s initial rating of 1881 places her at a significantly higher level, it raises questions about her background in chess.

For instance, consider the experience of the author: They had their first FIDE rating at 1893, indicating a strong foundation in chess even before participating in a rated tournament. Another example is Garry Kasparov, who had an impressive FIDE rating of 2595 on his very first FIDE result. Both of these cases underscore the importance of practice and study in achieving such high ratings.

Context of 1960s Chess Tournaments

The context of the story, set in the 1960s, further complicates the discussion. During this period, it was uncommon for a new player to be matched against players with a high enough rating to achieve such a high rating in their first tournament. 1881 was an amateur level rating in the 1960s, suggesting that Beth would have likely been playing against lower-rated opponents. Therefore, her rating would have had a theoretical upper limit significantly lower than 1800.

Rare but Possible

While achieving such a high rating in a first tournament is rare, it is not impossible. Some chess players have remarkably leapfrogged the initial rating phase. For example, one individual saw a first rating of 2064 after just 4 games, and another had a rating of 2200 after about 8 games. However, both of these individuals saw their ratings drop significantly later and did not achieve these numbers again.

In the case of Beth Harmon, if she had won all her games, including beating a 2200-rated player, her first provisional rating would have been much higher than 1881. However, in the 1960s, it might have taken a considerable amount of time for this first rating to be published. Rating reports were not as immediately available as they are today.

Conclusion

While Beth Harmon's first US Chess rating of 1881 is impressive and could be achievable for someone with a strong background in chess, it is generally unrealistic for a complete novice in their first tournament. Context and historical data suggest that her rating could have been higher due to prior experience or training. The story's settings and the rarity of such high first ratings add an element of realism and intrigue to the narrative.