This subject is discussed in Prof. Mark E. Glickman, [A Comprehensive Guide To Chess Ratings][1]. [1]: https://www.glicko.net/research/acjpaper.pdf > It appears as though there is very little distinction between the > shape of the logistic distribution in Figure 2 and the normal > distribution in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows both curves superimposed, > with the logistic distribution drawn as a solid line. In fact, > statistics professor Hal Stern in a 1992 article[11] has shown that > when analyzing paired comparison data it makes virtually no difference > whether one assumes the logistic distribution or the normal > distribution for differences in players' strengths. So, empirically, > the choice between the Bradley-Terry model and the Thurstone-Mosteller > model is a moot issue. **Mathematically, however, the Bradley-Terry > model tends to be more tractable to work with.** This is the most likely > reason that most organizations administering a probabilistic rating > system (e.g., FIDE, USCF) use the Bradley-Terry model, which uses the > logistic distribution assumption, rather than the Thurstone-Mosteller > model, which uses the normal distribution assumption. It is easy to see from the "FIDE Rating Regulations 2022" that the original Elo tables are still in use by FIDE.