Life In 19x19

First of I agree with robinz that we have probably all gotten better by now and that it would help if we could extend our member search to high sdk's. So why don't we all post our current KGS ranks and see where that leaves us.

I'm currently a strong 7k pushing 6k. But because we have a tournament coming up I plan on studying a lot (5k by July is my goal, but we'll see if I make it) Note: jordus is also 5k on KGS

Now to the question of players.
There are currently 3 low level Malkovich games going on: robinz vs 1986 and Tryphon vs hailthorn. 1986 is (obviously) robinz level, so around 8k. The Tryphon vs hailthorn game is (sorry guys) ddk level. But they are both actively involved in the community and are unlikely to bail. Personally I'd be happy if any of them decide to join us. I don't mind playing a few moves without a third person, but it feels a bit lonely with only robinz to talk too

No! Only the black team can replace MIAs ...

I'm fine as long as you don't have the replacement sandbag.

Mnemonic wrote: Note: jordus is also 5k on KGS

The last official KGS game I played I was 8k... the rest is just inflation... I doubt I am 5k...

I'm about 11k on kgs.

BIC:

My KGS rank is a bit irrelevant, as I don't think I've played a rated game since January - I'm off internet go at the moment (f2f is OK though, as are Malkovich games on here - not sure why, but it's just the way I feel), and also have very little time for it right now. If anyone cares, I seem to be right on the 7k/8k borderline, but that's just inflation - I was 9k last time I actively played there. My local club maintains a ranking ladder though, on which I'm currently ranked 8.5k. (But seem to be winning rather more games than I lose right now, all played at the theoretically correct handicap.) So I just call myself "about" 8k at the moment, but I don't really know.

I don't really mind who we get as a replacement for Rafa - I'd rather just get the game moving. But I do get the feeling the white team is (on paper at least!) rather stronger than the black one at the moment, so ideally it should really be a DDK, or 9k at the limit.

@Marcus (teammates and observers can also read, not that it says anything interesting):

I heard Shaddy was intrested last time, maybe we should ask him now that the overall level has increased

I guess we agrred on someone between 11 and 10k so I sent PM's to Tryphon and Monadology.

I guess we have a problem. I've gotten responses from both Monadology and Tryphon and here’s the deal: Tryphon is willing to play but he is 7k
So we have:

White: 8k, 7k, 6k
Black: 8k, 10k, 11k

Our options:

A: Cancel the game
I'm thinking everybody is against this so let's just skip it.

B: Ask/Wait for another DDK to come around
I'm not sure if this approach is feasible. Don't get me wrong: if we find a DDK willing to participate I'd gladly accept, but who should it be? Monadology declined, hailthorn has little time and there aren't any other players that I can think of.

C: Play on and allow the black team certain "perks"
I don't know. Maybe redundant can ask more serious rhetorical questions than Marcus, or we all give black team a turbo lesson in being SDK. But I really want this game to continue and quickly. What are your opinions?

Two other ideas :

D : swap a W and a B player. If the purpose of the game is learning, then all players are above win or loss, and they should not be worried by that.

E : enable tryphon crazy mode Weird openings (ok, it's too late), hardy tenukis, or if you want, DDK mistakes (I am at least 5d at DDK mistakes) I'd add that I don't plan to play sequences on a board before making a move, but read as far as I can (that is, 3 moves ahead in most cases, and yet, I often forget an answer) and rely to my intuition (just like MagicWand, but 15 stones weaker)

But since my rank is almost the same that the rank of people willing to play in the previous messages, and they proposed before me, I'd be willing let them my turn.

i'd prefer option C (becoming sdk). but being reallistic i don't care if the teams are balanced (an 8k joining black and a ddk switching to white) or if the 8k just goes to the white team.
I think the learning won't be affected.

lesenv wrote:i'd prefer option C (becoming sdk).

I'm now offering unlimited teaching games for the black team for the duration of the game

WIC:

Don't know what I am at the moment. I haven't played in a while but last I checked I was on the 10k/11k borderline on KGS. I don't particularly mind the imbalance in strength though. I'm happy to keep going as is with whoever (within reason, filling the gap).

I'll probably be a bit unreliable for the next three weeks or so as its exam time for me if I do overstep the three day margin go on without me but know I will be back.

(Also if anyone want to play a malkovich once my schedule clears up PM me.)

@Tryphon: I personally don't like your options. The Idea of mixing teams seems plausible at first but I have invested a lot playing for white, time as well as personal, and don't want to be kicked of the team. I also enjoy discussions’ with teammates and my captain and would miss that too. I bet the black team has had similar experiences but that is precisely why I don't want to switch teams.

Your second suggestion may be even worse. This is a team game where everybody should be working as hard as they can. It would really get on my nerves if you were purposely throwing a wrench into the works.


That said, it seems we are just going to play on without really worrying about ranks. Good luck and good game to everyone, especially the newcomers.

Optione E was a joke

That said, who plays ?

Tryphon wrote:That said, who plays ?

At the moment it is blacks turn so you have to wait. I don't know if you have/want to read the entire Thread. If not I can pick out a few important post that deal with strategic discussions.