http://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-ratings---how-they-work
enjoy!
Y does the first game u play affect ur rating so much?
Sort:
Your initial rating (1200) is a completely wild guess that may be horribly horribly wrong. So it is subject to be changed quite a bit as a result of new information (a win or loss in your first game). After you have played a number of games your rating is a more accurate guess and is not subject to as much change as a result of new information.
my friend (1200) lost to me (1357) and he said he was gonna go down about 150 points wheras if i lost (my record is 22-10) i would only go down 36. is it just because i have played so many games compared to him?