Elo-Farming Players

[Michail Tal]

Hi there,

just noticed, that the current number one ranked player of the game (all-time) 'azusannu' has played hundreds of games against the same opponent 'rehabili' winning almost exclusively. In a way that looks like intended farming of elo-rating points. I am wondering if this is something, thats allowed on this site? Not that it´s of much importance for this specific game i suppose, with such a high luck factor. But I am wondering as it seems like it would be hard for anyone actually trying against random opponents to compete with that.

Not trying to blame anyone here.
I am actually interested in how something like this is being handled on bga.
What are your thoughts on this?

Cheers, MT

[Niediam]

Looks like normal play vs a friend to me.

But I do feel that invite only games should not count towards ranking.

[Michail Tal]

Okay, lets play detective.

I checked again, and i agree they look like casual games against a friend –wins going back and forth– at first. Until, at some point the last >50 games are exclusively won by 'azusannu'. Just enough to get to all-time rank 1 and a 50 win-streak achievement. So yes, maybe friendly games with him suddenly outclassing his friend strategically. Or maybe simply Elo-Farming. The later seems just more likely to me.

I looked at the games of some other players in the high ranks, which mostly look like just good players. However, there is a similar pattern with the current season rank 1 player 'loismogomerie', who has after a lot of wins back and forth suddenly exclusively played one opponent without ever losing.

[Niediam]

My bad. I looked at one of the games. His opponent is 100% losing on purpose.