Hello folks,

I am 14k on KGS, and I have had this sign ~ next to my rank since I was 17k. I have no idea what it means and more, I have no idea how to remove it. Please, tell me!

Thank you very much!
Best Regards
Stefany.

Why is there a tilde (~) after my rank?

One way to improve is to play against stronger players. However, if everyone only played stronger players, then beginners or less-experienced people wouldn't have a chance to improve. Therefore, KGS assigns a tilde (sometimes called a squiggle) next to your rank if you don't play weaker players often enough. The tilde doesn't prevent you from playing stronger opponents, but it becomes more difficult to get a game if you have a tilde. The KGS community recognises that it's important to teach as well as learn, so players with a tilde generally have a more difficult time getting a game.

To remove the tilde, start playing weaker players. When you have played a sufficient number, the tilde will go away. Moving forward, you can then play a mix of weaker and stronger players to ensure that the tilde doesn't return.

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

I don't know about that Bill, that would imply there's some kind of cut-off at which point it becomes valuable, before which it isn't. I'm certainly still learning the game as I write, and a 14k is surely capable of helping show a 25k some of their bad habits?

Oh, I am not saying to a 14 kyu, don't play a weaker player. A chacun son gout. But I strongly disagree with the idea that a beginner should play at least 1/3 of her games with weaker players. Please do not stigmatize her for not doing so.

Now, someone who has played regularly and has been 14 kyu for a year is not in danger of picking up bad habits from weaker players, that's different. But while you are forming habits, it is good to watch and play the strongest players you can. And the strongest players should play teaching games and not foist the job off on DDKs.

Was anyone stigmatising her?

I agree with all you write here too

That would be wms...

(if you think it's hard getting a game with a ~, try with a ?)

Automatch is great for this.

So I've been told. I've also sat there for 20 minutes with auto-match running as a ? and given up waiting

So I've been told. I've also sat there for 20 minutes with auto-match running as a ? and given up waiting

Actually, what I've found really effective is "I'm about this strength and would really like some help getting a stable rank" in the info, but that's besides the point

"~" people are the leeches of the KGS server.