Editing Go (game) (section)

=== Ranks and ratings ===
{{Main|Go ranks and ratings}}
[[File:Go pros and amateurs.jpg.jpeg|thumb|Three Japanese professional Go players observe some younger amateurs as they dissect a [[life and death]] problem in the corner of the board, at the [[US Go Congress]] in [[Houston]], Texas, 2003.]]

In Go, rank indicates a player's skill in the game. Traditionally, ranks are measured using ''kyu'' and ''dan'' grades,{{sfn|Nihon Kiin|1973|p=188}} a system also adopted by many [[martial arts]]. More recently, mathematical rating systems similar to the [[Elo rating system]] have been introduced.<ref name=EGFRating>{{Citation | url = http://europeangodatabase.eu/EGD/EGF_rating_system.php#System | title = EGF Official Ratings | first=Ales | last = Cieply | publisher = European Go Federation (EGF)| access-date=2009-11-06}}</ref> Such rating systems often provide a mechanism for converting a rating to a kyu or dan grade.<ref name=EGFRating /> Kyu grades (abbreviated ''k'') are considered student grades and decrease as playing level increases, meaning 1st kyu is the strongest available kyu grade. Dan grades (abbreviated ''d'') are considered master grades, and increase from 1st dan to 7th dan. [[shodan (rank)|First dan]] equals a [[black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] in eastern martial arts using this system. The difference among each amateur rank is one handicap stone. For example, if a 5k plays a game with a 1k, the 5k would need a handicap of four stones to even the odds. Top-level amateur players sometimes defeat professionals in tournament play.<ref name=EGFDatabase>{{Citation | url = http://www.europeangodatabase.eu/EGD/Player_Card.php?&key=12633346
 | title = EGF Tournament Database | publisher = Association for Go in Italy (AGI) | access-date=2008-06-19}}</ref> Professional players have [[Go professional|professional dan ranks]] (abbreviated ''p''). These ranks are separate from amateur ranks.

The rank system comprises, from the lowest to highest ranks:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!|Rank Type
!|Range
!|Stage
|-
|Double-digit ''kyu''
|30–21k
|Beginner
|-
|Double-digit ''kyu''
|20–10k
|Casual player
|-
|Single-digit ''kyu''
|9–1k
|Intermediate/club player
|-
|Amateur ''dan''
|1–7d (where 8d is a special title)
|Advanced player
|-
|Professional ''dan''
|1–9p (where 10p is a special title)
|Professionals
|}