The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, April 25, 1971 - Page 104
Chess : New Rating System by Harold Dondis
A highly significant advance in chess has occurred with the recent adoption, by the FIDE Congress, of the Elo Rating System for International tournaments, effective July 1.
The system was developed by Dr. Arpad Elo, professor of physics at Marquette and seven times Wisconsin State Champion. Its calculation is quite simple, bit its derivation is based on probable distribution theory curves. A similar system is used for US ratings.
After July 1, rating will be the sole criteria for awarding International Master and Grandmaster titles. Elo has maintained the list since 1968 and has even calculated lifetime ratings for thirty great players playing up to 100 years ago.
Prominent international players have already been rated and hereafter International Master and Grandmaster ratings will depend on a player's performance and the average rating of participants in a tourney.
The ratings are only approximations, but if they are accurate predicters, the world's championship results would be as follows:
Fischer 2740 defeats Taimanov 2620; Petrosian 2640 defeats Huebner 2590; Korchnoi 2660 defeats Geller 2630; Larsen 2660 defeats Uhlman 2580.
Second round, Fischer over Larsen; Petrosian over Korchnoi; 3d round, Fischer 2740 then defeats Spassky 2690 and becomes world champion. But the ratings are too close for such predictions, and odds of winning four straight matches should be against Fischer.
