[MR] Insult vs. Honor -- Chess vs. Go -- was: Re: 'Point of Honor'

[Siegfried]

I realize that this topic is basically dead now; however, last night I
had a an epiphany that I wished to share.

I was rolling around in my head, the idea of someone being insulted by
being presented a 'point of honoran opponent handicapping himself in
order to theoretically make the rest of the fight more enjoyable, more
fair, versus my own personal idea of being quite happy with it.

Neither is wrong, just different points of view.

As my mind was exploring the topic, it started to branch out into other
forms of this.  For example, at most every melee event one goes to, we
'even up the sides'.  Allies will completely switch sides at Pennsic, so
that the sides are more even, and everyone has more fun with 'equal
chances' to win.  Basically the kingdom who has done the best job of
raising forces, and had an advantage, is giving it up in order to 'make
the fight more fun'.

But then, my mind settled on at least to me, an interesting correllary.

The Insult vs Honor differing points of opinion, are actually very
similar to the differences in Chess vs. Go.


In Chess, one never gives their opponent any kind of advantage.  All
players start with exactly the same board, it would be insulting to try
to do something to give one side an advantage (like letting them make 2
moves before your first one).

However, the renown for beating a 'better opponent', is all the greater,
because of what you had to overcome.  Modern chess rankings take this
into account, and give you a much higher 'bump' in score for beating a
higher ranked opponent.

This concept is very similar to that of the fighters stating that they
feel 'insulted' by their opponent offering up an arm or leg.


In Go (The oriental strategy game), You NEVER play a game, without the
better player handicapping themself to a level that puts both players on
equal terms.  It's built into the ruleset, with rules for how many
stones handicap should be given to the lower player based upon their
rank, there are even locations marked on the board (usually) for where
the handicap stones will go.

In Go, it would be dishonorable to not grant the 'lesser' opponent the
appropriate handicap, such that the game is on even grounds.

This, seems to match the philsophy of those who enjoy, and see honor, in
a fighter handicapping themself.


In Service,
Barun Siegfried - Barony of Highland Foorde