So you're playing an even game against someone that's around your rank. You play pretty well to get a good lead. Then you make a mistake and fall behind. You're not too far behind, so you don't resign yet.

You're striving to catch up, and your opponent misses an atari on a large group of stones, which was clearly just something he overlooked by accident. Do you capture the stones, or do you give him mercy?

_________________
be immersed

i take the stone.
if he feels bad and not play me anymore i dont play him anymore.
when i make mistake i never take back even it means i lose the game.
i think it should be same for all go player.

_________________
"The more we think we know about
The greater the unknown"
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

i've usually taken mercy

I agree with Magicwand on this.

I admit, I sometimes show mercy, usually against weaker players ... but in an even game there's no reason not to take it. We've all made mistakes, and it happens. Move on to the next game.

I only show mercy if I am clearly ahead when he misses the crucial atari/killing blow. If I'm behind, well...I've lost by mistakes like those, so why not my opponents?

Edit: Misvoted, wanted to pick the first option instead of the second.

_________________
a1h1 [1d]: You just need to curse the gods and defend.
Good Go = Shape.
Associação Portuguesa de Go

This has happened alot to me.

I would be playing a game and i made a few mistakes that cost me 5-15 poinnts.
i do not hit undo. nor even think about it. it was my mistake i need to learn to stop them. undo is a free pass.

So later on in the same game my oppnent makes a mistake. it cost's him the game by 20-30 points.

He spams undo and insults me(yes i had one who did that calling me a $$$$ cheater etc.etc.)
i do not understand why in a ranked match you would hit undo. if you do not see it. it is your own fault. not your opponents.

now in a free game that is another story

_________________
The unoffical Corndog Of Lifein19x19.
Please,Do not microwave for more then 60 second's as screaming will acure.

When playing casual games, I play to have fun. Winning by such a stupid mistake of my opponent is not fun for both. Mistakes should be meaningful in order to learn something.

Winning is not everything.

If it were a club game or free online game, I'd probably show mercy.
If it's a ranked online game or a tournament game then definitely not.

"Mercy is a sign of weakness"

_________________
I'm thinking...

If it's a game against a friend, someone I play often, I would probably give the person an undo (if it's some sort of dumb self-atari or something). Otherwise, I'd take without hesitation.

_________________
My blog about Macs and more: Kirkville

In an even game I would almost certainly capture the stones. But most of my club games are handicap games, and I would be more inclined to offer an undo in a high-handi game than in an even game.

Absolutely take the stone. I've never requested an undo online or in person. I've taken back a move only in a teaching game when the stronger player teaching me wanted to correct my mistake (for teaching purposes, obviously).

We all should learn to play carefully.

Yes, if it is the biggest move, irregardless of it being about winning. Go for me is about always trying to find the best move, not win - if that's capturing, I will.

Capture the stones. I think the idea that this is unmerciful comes from a general feeling that losing by a simple mistake somehow invalidates the entire game leading up to it. But this is only true if we perceive winning a game as a justification for the moves made during it. And this is the kind of thinking that makes us too happy when we win and sad when we lose. We need to learn to enjoy the game for the playing, not for the outcome.

I chose the first option, but if I was teaching someone (that would be the first time), I would point out his mistake instead of capture. Other circumstances, capture (well, if it was online and he wanted undo and his move was an obvious misclick, then I would - and have - grant him the undo)

_________________
Offending ad removed

Yeah, same here. Winning by accidents is just not satisfying =D

_________________
My "guide" to become stronger in Go

In a casual even game (and if it's interesting) I may let him "undo" and we could finish the game as if he hadn't made the mistake. The game is then morally won already and the rest is just a what-if kind of review.
In a handicap game against a weaker player, if it crushes my opponent I'd point out his mistake "Now, if you play there, I can capture here, see?" and let him undo.
In a serious game I'd capture, there are no options; I will also not make a undo in a serious game, even if my opponent would let me/ask me to.

/Mats

_________________
mohsart - games & books
http://spel.mohsart.se/

If it was a tournament, I'd take it, unless I already had a for-sure win without the capture. In a casual game I might point it out. I've done that before, but the game was already won, and we were rushing through the last of the endgame so we could count and review.

_________________
KGS 4 kyu - Game Archive - Keyboard Otaku

Mistakes count. Mine did, that's why I am behind.

If it was a casual game at the club, with someone I know, I would give a Mulligan. Although I would not accept one myself - never have, never will.

But online or in a tournament .. mistakes count.

_________________
Main Entry: zing·er Pronunciation: \ˈziŋ-ər\
1 : something causing or meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock
2 : a pointed witty remark or retort

Agreed.

_________________
My plan to become an SDK is here.