# Ralph Betza > American chess player **Wikidata**: [Q3002147](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3002147) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Betza) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ralph-betza ## Summary Ralph Betza is an American chess player and software engineer who holds the title of FIDE Master. Born in 1945, he is recognized for his sustained competitive presence, maintaining an Elo rating in the 2330–2340 range throughout the late 1980s. He is also known within the chess community by the alias "gnohmon." ## Biography - **Born:** April 16, 1945 - **Nationality:** United States - **Gender:** Male - **Known for:** Achieving the title of FIDE Master; career as a software engineer and programmer - **Field(s):** Chess, Software Engineering - **Aliases:** gnohmon ## Contributions Ralph Betza has maintained a documented presence in the international chess community as a competitive player and a FIDE Master. His contributions are evidenced by his consistent performance ratings recorded between 1986 and 1990. During this period, Betza held a steady Elo rating, peaking at 2340 in 1986 and early 1987, before stabilizing at 2330 from mid-1987 through the end of the decade. In the professional sphere, Betza is identified as a programmer and software engineer. While specific software projects are not detailed in the provided sources, his classification in knowledge bases links him to the development of computer software and the practice of software engineering. His dual identity as both a chess expert and a technology professional places him within the intersection of gaming and technical development. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Ralph Betza’s chess title? A: Ralph Betza holds the title of FIDE Master. He was awarded this title in 1989. ### Q: What was Ralph Betza’s Elo rating in the 1980s? A: According to historical data, Ralph Betza had an Elo rating of 2340 in 1986 and early 1987. His rating was recorded as 2330 from July 1987 through July 1990. ### Q: What is Ralph Betza’s profession outside of chess? A: Ralph Betza is listed as a programmer and software engineer, indicating a career in writing computer software and practicing software engineering. ## Why They Matter Ralph Betza matters as a consistent representative of American chess talent at the master level. Achieving the FIDE Master title requires a high degree of skill and dedication, marking him as one of the stronger players in the United States during his active years. His consistent rating over a four-year span (1986–1990) demonstrates a sustained level of high performance. Furthermore, his identification as a programmer highlights the common overlap between the chess world and the technical fields of software development. By existing in both domains, Betza exemplifies the analytical mindset required to succeed in complex logical pursuits, whether moving pieces on a board or writing code. ## Notable For - **FIDE Master Title:** Achieved in 1989. - **Consistent Rating:** Maintained a rating of 2330–2340 across multiple rating periods. - **Dual Career:** Recognized professionally as both a chess player and a software engineer. - **Online Presence:** Identified by the alias "gnohmon" and tracked across multiple chess databases. ## Body ### Chess Career Statistics Ralph Betza is registered with the United States Chess Federation (USCF) under ID 12189490 and with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) under ID 2001420. His career statistics include specific rating trajectories: * **1986:** Held a rating of 2340 in both the January and July lists. * **1987:** Started with 2340 in January, dropping to 2330 in the July list. * **1988–1990:** Maintained a consistent rating of 2330 across all recorded periods (Jan/Jul) through July 1990. ### Titles and Classifications Betza officially holds the title of FIDE Master, a designation confirmed by sources citing the 1989 start time. In the realm of occupation, he is strictly classified as a "chess player" and "programmer" (a subclass of software developer), as well as a "software engineer." ### Digital Footprint Betza is indexed in several prominent chess databases, reflecting his historical and ongoing relevance in the field: * **Chess.com:** Player ID ralph-betza * **365chess.com:** Player ID Ralph_Betza * **Chessgames.com:** Player ID 129450 * **Chesstempo.com:** Player ID 22116 He is also associated with the alias "gnohmon" in knowledge base records. ## References 1. chessgames.com 2. List of players on FIDE lists 1967-2001 3. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2001 4. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2001 5. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2001 6. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2001 7. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2002 8. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2002 9. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2002 10. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2002 11. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2003 12. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2003 13. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2003 14. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2003 15. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2004 16. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2004 17. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2004 18. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2004 19. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2005 20. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2005 21. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 28 February 2013 22. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2005 23. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2006 24. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2006 25. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2006 26. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2006 27. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2007 28. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2007 29. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2007 30. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2007 31. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2008 32. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2008 33. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2008 34. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 October 2008 35. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2009 36. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 April 2009 37. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2009 38. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 September 2009 39. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 November 2009 40. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2010 41. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 March 2010 42. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 May 2010 43. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2010 44. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 September 2010 45. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 November 2010 46. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 January 2011 47. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 March 2011 48. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 May 2011 49. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 31 July 2011 50. FIDE Standard Ratings as of 30 September 2011