No recognised term aimed at weaker players, of the mildly derogatory type, has any stature in English-speaking go circles.
DFK (double figure kyu player) also known as a
DDK (double digit kyu player).
SFK (single figure kyu player) also known as a
SDK (single digit kyu player).
Bignose: I'm afraid I don't understand what it is you're trying to say with this page, even after several readings. Are you saying that we should not use the term "weaker player" at all? Are you suggesting DFK and SFK as replacements? That's not satisfactory; "weaker player" is often used as a *relative* term; i.e. weaker than the person whom we are discussing (or myself, if no other context is given). If you've got some other purpose for this page, please make it a bit clearer (and erase these confused questions :-)
Charles Matthews Chess players use patzer as a not-too-unpleasant term for weaker players. But the point is that nothing corresponds to that, in go usage.
Jenny Radcliffe: Indeed, but does it need to? If you mean a term for a player weaker than yourself, I don't see that any term other than "weaker player" is needed. But for clarifying strength, the terms "DFK" and "SFK" would be useful, if they were more main-stream.
Charles I think the point that generally may need explaining, for those of us who come to go from 'outside', i.e. not from an Asian culture, is this. The hierarchy as set up of kyu and dan, amateur and pro, is explicit in what it implies, one way round. To show respect for stronger players is the practical way to express respect for the game itself, as a traditional art. What is only implicit is how it works in the opposite direction. Stronger players owe respect to the game too, in the way they study it and carry on the tradition; but the public face of that ought to show in the treatment of any weaker players or pupils. It is hard not to be patronising in some way, if one is to give any helpful advice at all. But a great deal can be done in creating a good climate, dispelling the idea that people are valued only for their skill in the game. Therefore I'd quite agree that we don't need a term with any sort of 'loser' implication. Better to use 'social player', 'club player' and so on.
Jasonred : So, the question is why there isn't a derogatory term for weaker players, unlike chess? Here's a theory: Firstly, yes, the environment of respect. Second, go, because everyone knows their relative strength, due to the rating system, so mismatches happen less, and are less severe. Trust me, if you dan players kept having to play weaker players without knowing the handicap, or even that they were weaker in the first place, you'd be cursing us too! Try stepping on court with the NBA with your workmates and challenging them to a serious game, you can look forward to getting chased off the court... Thirdly, go players, when we find beginners, most of us try to be as kind and encouraging as possible with them as possible to "promote" go. Whereas my attitude with chess is a lot more relaxed, I really don't care either way whether they take up the game or not.
Jasonred: Oh, and as for Charles bit about Asian culture and hierarchy... it's true, but only up to a point. Karate has similiar hierarchy with grades, but in fact, there are a number of people who think poorly of the less capable students. Especially the less capable ones who just happen to have a higher grade. Or the ones who fail to advance for a long time. In fact, there's something similiar to "hazing" even in most hierarchy based systems. And I'm Asian myself, so I know what I'm talking about. There is sometimes the intention for the climate described by Charles, but... human nature passes all boundaries. Except, evidently, the boundaries of Go! Go, Go!
Charles Sure, human nature means things are never perfect. A little 'human nature' goes a long way, though. My comments are really directed at stronger players who assume the system must be set up solely for the benefit of its 'serious' users.
HolIgor: Let's add some diagrams to this discussion.
Yoshida gives this variation with the comment that this is how single digit kyu players treat this situation. I guess that it is good but there are other variations that have to be considered.
Scary, don't you think so? Now, the main variation gives white life in the corner while black becomes thick. But this is the thickness without much of the territory forming potential, fighting thickness? Can we transform it into points?
If white cuts immediately black is good.
SDK, don't you think that black is good here? Oh, perhaps, you didn't know that black's 3 stones make life in sente? Oh, that explains it.