12.0. Monitoring the Operation of the Rating System

12.1	One of the functions of Congress is to establish the policies under which FIDE titles and ratings are awarded. The function of the rating system is to produce scientific measurement information of the best statistical quality to enable Congress to award equal titles for equal proficiencies of players. Thus the rating system must be properly scientifically maintained and adjusted on both a short and long term basis.
12.2	The rating scale is arbitrary and open ended. Thus only differences in ratings have any statistical significance in terms of probability. Thus if the composition of the FIDE Rating pool were to change, the rating scale could drift with respect to the true proficiency of the players. It is a major objective to ensure the integrity of the system so that ratings of the same value from year to year represent the same proficiency of play.
12.3	Part of the responsibilities of the Rating System Administrator is to detect any drift in the rating scale. This can be done by surveys such as: Monitoring the ratings of a selected group of established players, between the ages of 25-40, for any change in the average rating of the group. Monitoring the average rating of the top, say 50, players. Monitoring the distribution of ratings within the rating pool.
	12.31	A tournament should be held every three years between a computer and 30 active, established players in the range ¦ 100 of the estimated rating of the computer. This should be repeated with different players of similar published ratings to the first group. The statistical data would then be analyzed. (GA '93)