Modeling behavior in competition: The analytic hierarchy process

This paper offers an approach for dealing with prediction of the outcome of World Chess Championship matches based on players experience and attitude towards the game. The paper deals with both the overall outcome and the sequence of game by game outcomes. A method for predicting the overall outcome is advanced and illustrated. Methods for predicting game by game outcomes are examined and compared according to strengths and weaknesses. The analysis is supported by the data on World Championship matches since their beginning 125 years ago.