However, under Japanese rules, the game is already considered to have ended. The players attempt to ascertain which groups of stones would remain if both players played perfectly from that point on. (These groups are said to be alive.) In addition, this play is done under rules in which kos are treated differently from ordinary play. If the players reach an incorrect conclusion, then they both lose.
So if neither player is good at distinguishing live from dead, then both may lose! (So much for a zero-sum game.) I am not fond of this feature of the Japanese rules; I much prefer the idea that one solves disagreements by playing them out. But then I am an even weaker player than you, so what do I know? (^_^)
I much prefer the idea that one solves disagreements by playing them out.
But then I am an even weaker player than you, so what do I know? (^_^)
Plenty of stronger players feel much the same way. The Japanese rules do mean the game is sometimes over quicker, though—since they avoid filling dame.
No, it’s only the Wikipedia rule set which says this. Then the article says
So none of the rule sets used in practice agree with Wikipedia’s Rule 9.
This is from lower down on Wikipedia (more there):
So if neither player is good at distinguishing live from dead, then both may lose! (So much for a zero-sum game.) I am not fond of this feature of the Japanese rules; I much prefer the idea that one solves disagreements by playing them out. But then I am an even weaker player than you, so what do I know? (^_^)
Plenty of stronger players feel much the same way. The Japanese rules do mean the game is sometimes over quicker, though—since they avoid filling dame.