Hu of KGS: For a long time IGS was three ranks out of whack (away from equivalence) compared to all almost all other ranking schemes. I think it was the third quarter of 2002 that they were adjusted.
KGS ranks are held close to AGA ranks by use of anchors, but it would be good to put KGS into the table[1]. While you are at it, move the misplaced "Suggested Equivalences" to a title where it belongs so that the whole table can be moved to the left margin.
Tobias Klaus?: IGS rating (at least in the single digit kyu and dan area) is a pretty exact match to the european rating right now. I readjusted the IGS numbers for that[1].
Harpreet: It seems the chart above did not reflect the IGS +3 inflation. So I adjusted the numbers for that.
Harpreet: Well, the chart is no good, it seems. I adjusted the ranks up for IGS inflation but if it's wrong relative to European ratings then it was wrong before as well. Now IGS is wrong relative to AGA (should be about the same). So perhaps this thing was fiction from the start.
Alberto Rezza: This is another try. Still very approximate, of course, but perhaps nearer to the truth. Any comments?
3Gup (Kor) = 1K (Chi) = 1D (IGS, KGS) = 2D (Eur, NNGS) = 3D (AGA) = 4D (Jap)
The European/NNGS rank seems to be best, in the sense that, always keeping a difference of one handicap stone between amateur ranks, an amateur 9D would be just as strong as a pro 9D. In this way the amateur and professional rankings would be actually the same, joining at the top and varying only in the strength difference per rank.
Dieter: Just to give some material to underline that online go requires other skills than face to face go: on KGS I met two members of the BGF against whom I have equal trouble to win in real life. They are 2D and 1D respectively in our rating system. I am in between at 1D. On KGS they are 4D and 1k respectively. I am in between at 2D. Those two players qualify KGS rating as generous and tough respectively ...
[1] Sebastian: What table are you guys talking about? And how do rank inflations happen? -- 2003-09-10
Sebastian, the table is at Rank Worldwide Comparison--TimBrent
Funkybside: I must disagree with the equivilence of IGS and KGS ranks mentioned above. While 14k* on IGS, I was happily playing a 6k* account on KGS. I only used the KGS account for a short time (maybe it's been corrected), but I did not notice much strength difference bewteen 8-6k* KGS players and 14-11k* IGS players.
ggleblanc: I agree with Funkybside. The high kyu ranks on IGS are almost twice as strong as the ranks on KGS. As of August 2004, I have a 13k account on KGS and a 25K account on IGS. Anyone weaker than 15K will not be able to maintain a ranking on IGS.
Someone moving from IGS to KGS unaware of the difference would set themselves up to sandbagging. Someone moving from KGS to IGS will lose a lot of games.