panzerschiff: you're right of course, I was beating my friends and even performing simul exhibitions before I even played in tournaments and my first rating was a whopping 1068. Today it is much higher just as yours (although admittedly lower than yours, panzerschiff). It is difficult to state simply what is the difference between the master and the amateur, I still consider myself an amateur just because I don't have any Title other than "High Class B" which isn't brag-able like "master" or even "expert". judging by recent successes and failures my hard work is paying off (I train about an hour a day on average). I can't wait for that day when I can say, "I'm a Chess Master". I'm still going to lose an unprecedented number of games but I'll be losing to Titled players and not feel so bad. ;)