Kyu levels (written as a number, followed by the letter k, e.g. 18k) are a system of rating players by their skill at the game of Go (Wei Qi/Badouk). At most Go clubs, you find out your rating just by playing against a (much) stronger opponent and having them assess your play. Lower numbers indicate stronger players, and it is assumed that a beginner is somewhere around 30k. The difference between your rating and an opponent's determines the number of handicap stones the weaker player should receive in order to give him a decent chance of winning. If the difference is only 1 point, the weaker player should have a good chance of winning being given only the advantage of going first (no komi). Once a player progresses beyond 1k, he or she becomes dan level.