Main FAQ

When I enter a user name into the Buddy List, the Censor List, or the Fan List, there is a "notes" field. What are notes?
What is the Ten Move Rule?
Where did my room go? How do I make a new room?
What is a Teaching Account? How do I get KGS microphone privileges?
Where did my account go? Can I delete my account?
Are there hot keys (keyboard shortcuts) to help me access the KGS features more quickly?
What is the current version number of the KGS client? See the top of the CGoban download page.
What is a Site Map link? A link into the site map that is found at the bottom of most help pages. It points one or more levels higher than the position of the help page in the site map.
What is an Up One Level link ? A link that is similar to a Site Map link except that it points into a help page. (The Site Map and Up One Level links are currently in alpha test.)
What are hot links? They are a legacy name for the links in the Index Box in the upper right corner of most help pages.
Are there any free lectures on KGS? Some of the saved KGS Plus lectures are free. For example, go to KGS Plus –> Saved Lectures; set the year to 2010 and the month to April. Also check out the KTL. KGS is also proud to host the Ing Goe Internet Class.
Is the KGS protocol published? Yes, see the KGS protocol page.

When are the rank graphs updated? Ranks are recalculated frequently, but the graphs change only once a day at 0:00 GMT.
Why does my rank graph change when I haven't even played any games in awhile?
Two reasons:
1. The rank of one or more of your past opponents changed.
2. Certain players whose level of play is fairly consistent are selected to anchor the rating system. From time to time, changes are made to this group, resulting in minor adjustments to everybody's rank.
If I resign a ranked game before 10 moves are played, does the game count against my rating?
1. Yes, if it is an automatch game.
2. No, if it is not an automatch game; however, games with even less than 10 moves WILL count if they are saved. With non-automatch games under 10 moves, the player who plays white has the option to save the game.
3. There is no difference between games played against humans and games played against robots.
My friend is 1d and I am 10k. Can we play a rated game?
Yes. As long as you use a handicap of six stones or less. (The large rank difference affects how much your ratings change, but the game is still rated. - - If the stronger player wins, there is almost no change. If the weaker player wins, the effect can be huge.)
Can a 4d play a rated game against a 2p?
No. Pro accounts can not play rated games on KGS.
Who are the players with the highest ratings?

What do I do with escapers? (An escaper is somebody who leaves a game when they are losing.)
What is a troll?
What if I have a tilde (~) after my name? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? How do I get rid of it?
What social standards are expected of me when I am ...
KGS also has policies. The admins generally take policy violations more seriously than etiquette violations.