Rank - first comments

Paths: <= Handicap =>   ·   <= Rank =>
  Difficulty: Beginner  

The difference of ranks determines handicap.

Newbie Info

If you are a newbie: Assume your initial rank is between 30 and 20 kyu.


Dudzik: I think that this is highly misleading. While it's true that "newbies" generally fall between 30 and 20 kyu, it makes it sound like you could be a 25 kyu on your first game just because you're pretty smart. Someone who has played fewer than a dozen games might read this and think, "Oh, I must be at least a 26 kyu by now," go on KGS and get crushed in an even game against a real 26k, and get frustrated. One player on KGS told me: "wow--I thought that mid 20s players were supposed to suck."

For people very new to go: if you have only played a few games, it is very unlikely that you're any better than 30 kyu, and you might be closer to 35 kyu. Until you are very comfortable with ladders and protecting against cuts, you are certainly weaker than 25 kyu. (note that the converse is not true.)

Hicham: Before I went to a club, I had only played around 10 games against my friend. We both just learned the rules from a book. We did buy 'The second book of Go' and did a couple of tsumego. We were rated 18-20k. So I would say that the learning process in the beginning can go very fast, one can gain a kyu each game in the beginning if something 'clicks'. But if it doesn't click the first time, no worries, i might click the next game.

Dudzik: I suppose I should have added that it can vary a lot.

chipuni: I would simply say, "If you're a beginner, assume that your rank IS 30 kyu." Nothing more.


How to adjust your initial rank? Challenge other players!

- You have won a game against a player, who claimed to have a stronger rank than you? Fine! Adjust your rank. Step by step.

- You have lost a game against a player, who has a weaker rank than you? Please lower your rank. Step by step.

The method to adjust your rank is: Challenge other players with acknowledged ranks. And adjust your (local) rank. (As soon as you get the result of that game.)

Main point

Discover and communicate (!) your real (!) level of Go experience to your next (!) opponent. (As fairly as you are able to.)

Non-Newbie Info (Stronger than 15 kyu)

See rank - worldwide comparison for local differences of rank systems.


Paths: <= Handicap =>   ·   <= Rank =>
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