The Effect of Online Go Rating Point Difference on Winning Rate

Kim Chaelim · Kim Jinhwan /December 7, 2023

How to cite this article:
Kim, C., Kim, J. (2023). The Effect of Online Go Rating Point Difference on Winning Rate. Journal of Go Studies, 17(2), 173-190. doi: 10.62578/449937

Abstract
      The purpose of this study is to contribute to the creation of a more equal environment for playing online Go. For this purpose, the results of the online Go server C company’s 7 dan matches and 7 dan and 6 dan matches were used. The matches were divided into sections by rating score difference between the two players and the winning rate and the number of matches were analyzed. The results of analyzing 7 dan’s 269,898 matches and 7 dan and 6 dan’s 107,649 matches are as follows.
      First, the winning rate on the side with the higher score (H ratio) increased by 10% for every 300 points in the 7 dan matches. As for the number of matches, 70% of the matches were distributed within the first 15 sections (point difference ranged 300), which is within H ratio of 50%, and about 90% of the matches were played within 25 sections (point difference ranged 500), which is within H ratio of 60%. In the 7 dan matches, when the difference was more than 300 points, the even game with 6.5 point komi seemed unequal.
      Second, in the matches between 7 dan and 6 dan, overall, 10% increase in the H ratio was shown for every 450 points, and one-stone handicap seemed unequal from about 900 points difference. Looking at the distribution of the number of matches, about 80% of the matches were played between the 20th section (point difference ranged 400) and the 71st section (point difference ranged 1420), that is, the H ratio ranged from 50% to 60%.
      Third, as a countermeasure against this inconsistency, komi subdivision and constant C value adjustment were proposed.

Keywords: Online Go, Go rating point, Online Go level, Go