From: Larry Kaufman <lkaufman <at> WIZARD <dot> NET>
Date: 8 jan 2000
Subject: Re: Russian Japanese Handicap Match and Kyu-Dan Test

At 11:43 PM 1/8/00 +0300, you wrote:
>8 of January Handicap Japanese-Russian Match was held.
>Japan 10-2 Russian
>Nakao O. (6 Dan Pro) - ( R, L) - Nikonov K. (1 Dan) - 2-0
>Moro T. (3 Dan) - (R,L) - Shpilev Y. (2 kyu) - 2-0
>Muro T. (3 Dan) - (R,B) - Kisluk L. (4 kyu) - 2-0
>Tatsutomi H. (3 Dan) - (R,B, 2L) - Makarov P. (8 kyu) -2-0
>Tsukada T. (2 Dan) - (R,B, 2L,2N) - Nosovsky A. (9kyu) 2-0
>Tatsutomi Hz. (10 kyu) - (no handicap) - Segal L. (9 kyu) 0-2


     I would like to point out that the fact that all ten handicap games
were won by the handicap giver (the Japanese) does not necessarily mean
that the Russian players are misranked.  Rather, it is further proof (not
that more was needed) that the conventional rank vs. handicap equivalence
is out of line with reality; the ranks now are rather wide, and a
relatively large handicap is needed for what seems like a modest difference
in rank.  In my experience, to make things reasonably equal the handicap
would be rook for two ranks, rook and lance for three, rook and bishop for
four, and four piece for five.  No club in Japan uses such a severe system;
they seem content to let the stronger player win most of the time.

>Kyu - Dan Test
>

>1959  Mozzhorin M. - 8 kyu
>1971  Taranin D. - 8 kyu

     Could this be explained?

     Larry Kaufman, amateur 5 dan