From 1996 - 1998 I finished with four wins and two draws in my first and only correspondence tournament to arrive at 2176. I was in the low 1800s USCF and played against three other class A players.
I beg to differ. Someone may play weakly OTB, when he lacks the mental prowess to visualize. He may play strongly in CC, when he is free to move the pieces and is able to see, rather than imagine, what may be the result of several options.
The variability in how individuals approach correspondence games vs. OTB games, and how different players approach correspondence games in general, can explain a lot.
I’ve played about 1300 games on a slow server (letsplaychess.com). My OTB rating during the last decade has varied from mid-1800s to very low 2000s. My server rating has been 1750 to 2100; my blitz rating from mid-1500s to low 2100s.
The greatest persistent differences between my server rating (slow or blitz) and my actual rating has been plus or minus about 130-150 points. It’s been as much as 400, but only fleetingly. A 500 point difference maintained for any length of time is HUGE. Given that your friend’s opponents had access to the same resources, I find this to be astounding.
BTW I do not “move the pieces around,” as I’m allowed, or ever use a computer in my correspondence games.
Yes it can - but this is precisely in contradiction to your original assertion that such a person was almost certainly using a computer.
I’ve probably played more online chess than anyone frequenting this forum. Until early this year I also averaged about 50 slow OTB games per year. I have a very good feel for this sort of thing. Your friend was an anomaly. A 500 point difference lasting a week or so for blitz on ICC is not too unusual. I once lost nearly 700 points in one week! But for any type of slow chess (server or postal) it’s an astounding difference. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, or can’t, only that it’s highly unusual.
Call me a member of the vast right wing conspiracy, but when a guy I’m 9-1-1 against OTB gets a 2300 rating on the LetsPlayChess server and wipes me off the board, he’s using a computer (my current rating is 1880-ish). This is a guy who once resigned against me, K vs. K+Rook Pawn + wrong-colored bishop, and his K was in the corner. 98% of the time, when someone rated 1600 beats me 10 times in a row at 3-0 on ICC, he’s cheating. Same for a 1600 OTB who has a 2100 rating on ICC.
I would doubt that.
Funny, but I had another friend who used to also be a very strong correspondence player (I don’t think he still plays) who for a long time was in exactly the same situation.
So no, I have no evidence that its an anomaly. I’ve taught several players who I found were capable of being good players, but who weren’t sufficiently organized OTB to be a good player. It’s a different skill set.
I’m not arguing that computer assistance doesn’t occur. It most assuredly does. I AM arguing that this knowledge shouldn’t cause a rush to judgement on any specific player.
Since there isn’t any clear rating equivalency between the two, that’s not a meaningful comparison. And I don’t know what type of games you’re referring to…what time controls?
H-E double toothpicks, I once missed a mate in one against a 2300. That proves what, exactly?
Well, I think your stats are entirely faulty. I know many young players who can be 1600 OTB that I would beat 9 times out of ten, who might beat me consistently at 3-0. And again, there’s no equivalency between ratings, so that comparison doesn’t mean much.
I can believe a 1600 OTB can be 2100+ online. That doesn’t disturb me in the least.
But irrespective of the fact that you haven’t established your case, what I point out again is that your comments are self-inconsistent. OT1H you argue that people are getting computer aid - OTOH you admit that it could be completely normal.
You haven’t built a good case.
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve played about 70,000 blitz games on ICC, plus a ton of games on a slow chess server. I’ve recently given up speed chess, for Lent of course 
I once told Eric Mark that I play my best chess when my OTB, blitz, and slow-server ratings are about within 100 points of each other. It’s like when the planets align. Beam me up, Bachler.
I have 3 handles, and have 85,000 on just one. Not to mention the good ole’ days of Leisure Linc/USAToday.