How the ranking list is calculated

• The results used for compilation of the data are those for the year previous to the date of publication of each list. A list is published on the 1st of each month.

• A new calculation is made each month in which each player starts with 10,000 points. Points are then added for appearing in events and for winning games (with bonuses for winning titles, etc.). These tally of these added scores is modified in various ways so that a higher weighting is given, for example, to open events over restricted events, to big prize-money tournaments and to the most recent events. The score for each game also reflects the opponent's ranking.

• A player scores 4 for appearing in a preliminary, or 25 if he reaches the main event. A player seeded to a main event also receives 25 points. These scores are given irrespective of losses or defaults.
  • The definition of preliminary and main events is variable. The final ranking games in the SK New Stars Best Ten are regarded as special games and so attract no score. Games such as the Korea-China Ch'eonweon and similar bilateral events are not scored here. The qualification for the Nongshim Cup team is classed as a preliminary. In events where there is no clear division between preliminaries and a main event, such as the Wangwi, the last 16 will count as the main event.

• The winner of a game scores 1 point in a preliminary, 4 in a main event. Bonus points are added for those who reach the last four. The winner gets 250 points, runner-up 125, 3rd 85 and 4th 60 (it is not specified how scores are split if there is no third-place playoff). In team tournaments such as the Nongshim Cup, the CSK Cup, the Baduk League and Go Masters, there are no bonuses. These appear to be "game points".

• For events where all pros can take part, 100% of the points earned are added in. In international events with an overseas sponsor where there is no domestic selection tournament, 65 ~ 80% of the score will be added in. In events with age or sex restrictions, 40% will be added.
  • The following examples were given: The LG Cup scores 100%. The Toyota & Denso Cup scores 80% because it has a last 32. The Fujitsu Cup scores 75% because it has a last 24. The Zhonghuan Cup scores 70% because it has a last 16. The TV Asia Championship scores 65% because it only has a last 8. The Cheongkwanjang Cup scores 40% because it is for women only.

• Tournaments are ranked according to prize money and scale. Prize money here includes game fees but excludes expenses - two elements which are rarely published). Money carries more weight than scale. Events that have a lot of games, either because they are large scale, such as the Baduk League (for teams) or because they have a repechage system or a league, are weighted lower. Events such as the Myeongin with a last 8 are rated higher. No distinction though is made between international and national. The weighting data will not be revealed.

• Winning a game also entitles a player to 0.1% of the opponent's rating (fractions of 0.5 and higher rounded up, otherwise down). This appears to be a separate element from "game points."

• Results over the previous 100 days are scored 100%. Prior to that, scores are reduced 10% for every 30 days. This reduction is applied to all scores uniformly.

• The final formula is [(AxB)xC]+D
  
  where:
  A: Game points total (base points+win points+bonuses)
  B: Tournament weighting
  C: Tournament recognition factor
  D: Scores against opponents
  

It is not entirely clear to us what the tournament recognition factor is. The term (injeong-ryul) appears out of the blue in the formula definition. In general, the background information here is to be regarded as provisional.

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