so, when playing go with my friends, i often give a handicap that would put me in the 5 k rank. i give 2 stones to paul who is 7 k, and win 2 out of 3 games. i give 3 stones to elias who is 8 k, and often even 4 stones after having won 3 times in a row. i can't quite beat him at 4 stones, but it's a close match. but the odd thing is, online i seem to play at a 7-8 k rank.
its not just kgs, I've tried several go servers, and get the same result.
my only guess is, I'm getting used to their play-style and have adapted my own to theirs.

You should be aware that there is quite a difference between rankings on various servers, and an 8k on Tygem or IGS for example is generally a good deal stronger than an 8k on KGS. You might take a look at some of the rank comparison lists on Senseis, for example the one Karaklis made last year: http://senseis.xmp.net/?Sh%2Frankcomparison. Maybe you just perform particularly poorly on KGS.

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Patience, grasshopper.

When I was 8k KGS I think I was around 13k IGS. Tygem is a whole different deal altogether. Low SDK and Dan it rocks, but everything else is = Insane sandbagger from hell.

But it probably stands to reason that you think less on online servers and more IRL. You'd take the game seriously if you face the other person, give him some respect. Online, you might find yourself clicking away without even taking your opponents moves into consideration.

I only play online, I'm a KGS 5k, IGS 10k, Wbaduk 11k, Tygem 13k and DGS 10k.
As you see the ranks are different for each server, on what is the ranking of your friends based, AGA, EGF or an online server?

In addition to what others say, do you play online or in real life with your friends? Playing in front of a goban is a lot different from playing online

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Geek of all trades, master of none: the motto for my blog mostlymaths.net

I've never played either of my friends online, but i know Elias is also 8k on kgs.

I've noticed i have more of a blitz mentality with online play, and don't think of my moves as much as i probably should.

here's a game i played, maybe you can comment on it.

I'm in the same league as you: online I feel a good deal weaker (1d i/o 2d)

If I'm not mistaking, you won this game with 50 points, so it's not really a good demonstration of why you are weaker online than IRL.

What I notice is:

- a tendency to play on the third line
- a tendency to go for atari and somewhat crude lines

An idea that can help a lot to unlearn crudity is: http://senseis.xmp.net/?OneTwoThree
In the opening, try to play wave like side patterns.

What I'm trying to do myself online is to keep it simple and play somewhat slow (thick) moves, especially in dire time settings, to keep the game going into the endgame.
Always think of 3 alternatives is a good antidote to mindless blitzing.

Good luck!

i am guessing that stronger players will have advantage on face to face match.

i can intimidate weaker players by just staring at them.

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