Life In 19x19

I was wondering if the rankings mean different things for parts of the world.

When I play during US work hours, the guys I encounter seem to be much stronger tactically than those I play on the weekends. Those who are ranked 10k to 16k seem much much stronger than usual.

Sorry for the strange sounding question but the groups of players almost seem like different strengths altogether.

They also seem pickier about whom they'll play with.

If a 10k is stronger at one time of day than another, perhaps it's just 2 a.m. in his/her time zone when he/she seems weaker. Or at least, a similar less-focused time.

Not exactly what you're looking for, but here is a comparison of different systems (though you seem to be talking only about KGS). Note that the time zone difference is mentioned in the caveats.

http://senseis.xmp.net/?RankWorldwideComparison

scara wrote:I was wondering if the rankings mean different things for parts of the world.

When I play during US work hours, the guys I encounter seem to be much stronger tactically than those I play on the weekends. Those who are ranked 10k to 16k seem much much stronger than usual.

Sorry for the strange sounding question but the groups of players almost seem like different strengths altogether.

They also seem pickier about whom they'll play with.

It isn't implausible that two populations in the rank system might not meet much (e.g. different time zones), and might therefore be self consistent in ranks with each other but not with the other population.

It also isn't implausible that the effect could be entirely imagined, reinforced by confirmation bias.

KGS seems pretty week on Sunday mornings. Not sure if it's timezones or hangovers that cause it.

I have noticed different styles of play online during different times. Mainly because I am a foreigner living in China, and during my day times most of the people I end up playing are on a Japanese client. Cautious of my generalization, I find they typically aren't aggressive fighters, don't resign or end games early, and do well in the endgame.

When I play during more of the American primetime hours, my games tend to be a little scrappier.