Re: Rational Japanese territory via Maas-style encore?
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 8:45 pm
While not exactly identical to playing moves with prisoners, mechanically, the pass stones are superior, and it seems close enough. What started as a query on my part about the Maas encore is now entirely vested in the mechanism of Ikeda Territory rules II (though not necessarily whole--Superko rule seems not essential?)jann wrote:A few things I forgot to say at the time - whether to areafy with "pass stone / penalty" or "board play reward" like Maas:
Pass stones do not directly compensate cleanup moves, but via the opponent's pass (if he doesn't respond on board). This needs an arbitrary rule about equal moves in encore. The reward method also needs extra rule though, about prisoner-pair creation (if none remains to play from) or an alternative way of reward.
Giving a prisoner for a pass distorts the concept of passing. Normally a pass is a "do nothing" or "no (score) change" thing, like a 0 point environmental coupon - ensuring players are never forced to decrease their own score. Rewarding board plays is closer to how area actually works and differ from territory (+1 pt for each played stone).
On the other hand, pass stones are also suitable for whole-game areafication, not just for encores.
Equal moves doesn't seem arbitrary to me in any respect, and there ancient texts suggest it was a an early principle of the game. And I disagree about the "distortion". If you believe there is no advantage to move, and the game is at an end, you are paying a stone you should get back. If you cannot benefit from a move, and your opponent still can, well that's just kind of tough, but eminently fair.