1. What is Elo Difference?

The Elo difference (Diff) is the numerical gap between two players' ratings in the Elo rating system. It's used to predict the expected outcome of a match between two players.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple Elo difference formula:

Where:

• \( Diff \) — Rating difference (points)
• \( R1 \) — First player's Elo rating (points)
• \( R2 \) — Second player's Elo rating (points)

Explanation: The difference directly shows how many rating points separate two players in the ranking system.

3. Importance of Elo Difference

Details: The Elo difference is crucial for calculating expected win probabilities and determining rating changes after matches in competitive games like chess.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both players' Elo ratings as positive integers. The calculator will show the difference between the first and second player's ratings.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive difference mean?
A: A positive difference means the first player is rated higher than the second player.

Q2: What does a negative difference mean?
A: A negative difference means the first player is rated lower than the second player.

Q3: How is Elo difference used in match predictions?
A: Larger differences correspond to higher expected win probabilities for the higher-rated player.

Q4: What's a typical Elo difference between players?
A: Differences can range from 0 (equal players) to several hundred points in mismatched pairings.

Q5: Does the difference determine rating changes after a match?
A: Yes, the difference affects how many points are gained/lost after a match result.