13x13 and 9x9 are the common smaller boards, standard for teaching and fast games (AGA Rule 1); Smaller boards — 13x13 and 9x9 — are permitted, and a non-integral komi should still be used there (AGA Rules 1, 3), since avoiding a drawn game is part of the spirit of the AGA rules; Japanese rules u...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since AGA rules use ko penalties and life-and-death for larger boards (19x19), they must apply on smaller boards too, forgetting about their special considerations like non-integral komi to prevent drawn games. The confusion arises because the spirit of the game changes with board size, affecting how these specific rules are applied.
