KGS Etiquette

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Etiquette on KGS

There are some simple rules of respectful behavior.

When typing in a chat window:

Don't shout (typing only in capital letters);

Respect other countries and cultures;

Bear in mind that not everyone speaks your language fluently;

For serious problems (including those with another player), contact an admin via private chat;

If it's not family-friendly, don't say it in the main chat rooms;

Don't use an offensive name;

Don't annoy the admins;

Don't flood. Don't keep typing short phrases and hitting "enter";

Don't use chat to advertise commercial services;

Be polite in chat, and welcome newbies (as you once hoped to be welcomed);

Avoid inflammatory views and language

You can read more on this topic: KGS Terms of Service

When playing a game:

Greet your opponent before the game begins. Example: "hi."

Thank your opponent for the game when the game ends. Examples: "ty" and "tx."

If an urgent matter calls you away from the game for a short period of time, let your opponent know. Example: "brb" (be right back).

If you leave a game for a short period of time, let your opponent know when you return. Example: "i'm back."

If you have to leave a game and you do not wish to resume it later, resign.

If your opponent is gone for more than a minute, consider adding some time to their clock.

If your opponent in a suspended game is playing another game when you issue an invitation for them to resume your game, don't expect them to leave their current game to continue with your game. Just make your move (if it your turn) and close the game.

If you receive an invitation to resume a previous game while you are playing another game, just say no. When you finish your current game, reissue the invitation to resume the game if you can. If you can't, send them a message telling them that you will resume later.

If a game is suspended, do not print out the game. Also do not consult books or ask other people for advice on the game. (This is what the reigning honimbo and his team did to the challenger Go Seigen in the most famous game -- and perhaps the worst example of unfair play -- in the twentieth century.)

After you both pass, wait until you have both pressed the undo button before leaving the game window. Do not resign at this point in the game. Your opponent may want to compare his mental count during the game with the final score computed by the kgs software. The score estimator is not really part of the kgs software and it can be off by twenty of thirty points. This is because the score estimator does not count the dead stones when estimating the score.

If you issue an undo request that is not responded to, issue it again. Sometimes your opponent is making a move when your request arrives; they might not see your initial request.

Never use disrespectful language when talking to your opponent. Not even if you are upset because you lost the game, and especially not if they deny an undo request. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly and you need to talk to somebody about it, talk to an administrator. You do not have the right to decide for your opponent whether or not they should grant your request for an undo, even for a misclick. Examples: Do not say "you are not an honorable person." Do not say: "You do not play fair."

Encourage your opponent during the game. Exampe: "good move" (gm).

Do not play stones in your opponents territory in the hope that they will make a careless mistake (a mistake that could possibly pass for a "misclick"). This is not against the rules, and it is not "unfair," but, it violates the culture of the game.

If it is clear to you that your chances of winning are somewhat remote, resign. That way neither you nor your opponent wastes energy beating to death a game that is already dead.

When playing against a significantly weaker opponent (three or four stones or more) offer to review the game if you possibly can.

When playing against a significantly weaker opponent, it is polite to move at least as fast as they do.

When playing against an opponent who is significantly stronger than you, play your moves at a good pace. They are doing a favor by playing with you. Don't make them wait forever again and again.

If you are white, it is conventional to make your first move in the upper right hand corner. In fact, it is conventional to make your first move in the upper right hand corner and on or below a diagonal line drawn through that corner. This makes it easier to compare the joseki in that corner with the joseki in many on-line data bases such as the Kogo joseki dictionary (after the game is over, of course).

When marking the dead stones at the end of the game, it is conventional for you to mark the stones of your color and for your opponent to mark the stones of their color. This gives both players the opportunity to consider which of their stones are dead before the stones change color.

The source for many of these guidelines and conventions is sesiedo.com. (reference needed)