Valid points Scamp, and all I can say is that only a very selfish or unconfident player would refuse to play a lower ranked player for fear of losing. Even if the higher dan loses, he only has to win his next match to reset to zero. He can either accept another challenge from a lower rank and win to reset, or win against someone of his skill level (within 3 dan) to reset. If the top player does lose, then he SHOULD question himself and how he played. And if a top player gets to the top and refuses lower rank challenges, and has no peers in his skill level, or can’t beat the others within his skill level consistently, then he won’t go any further up himself. He’s holding himself back by not testing himself against all opponents, or creating stronger ones for himself. Yes, we can all be randomed out unexpectedly by a low level player, but if we let that win, then who was outplayed? The strong player will adapt, find the gaps, then punish hard.
Trying to address all points, apologies, what else? Ah yes, the high dan doesn’t have as much to lose as you might think. The system is based off of ability, if they are -1, lose a challenge to a low dan and derank, then perhaps that dan is more fitting to them, if its not, then they can quickly rise up to their previous dan by taking on the players that previously would have given them nothing for winning. Dan regained. As for high ranks starting out secondaries, the double gain system will help them climb to the appropriate dan more quickly then going up the ranks easily. And because of the rotation (winner stays, loser off), low dans can’t abuse the double gain system by constantly playing the same high player because that opponent will be gone after the loss. Again, it only takes a shift in momentum to reset to 0, so both losses and wins by skill gap challenges can be reset by the next win/loss. In the case a player ranks up because of the +2, they’ll rotate off for the rank up, again preventing abuse of the system. It will still take time, just be faster than normal.
I’m of the opinion that a high rank player should neither underestimate their competition, nor shy away from them. If they’re fearful of losing their rank, then perhaps that’s not the rank they should be at. And that would show when other players catch up to them and beat them consistently. If the high dan isn’t keeping up with how the low dan players grow, then they’ll just rank him down when they catch up to him anyway.
But perhaps if the price seems too steep, maybe set it to a double gain/normal loss for the skill gap offset? It would still impose a penalty for losing to a lower rank opponent, but not a terrible one. Remember, the skill gap is 3 dan, that’s a lot, otherwise the win/loss is normal. If a high rank is going to duck matches from low ranks out of fear of losing their rank, or wanting to keep their high rank out of pride, then is that where they deserve to be? If their ability is what they think it is, if their rank is as good as they are, there’s nothing to fear and no reason to refuse. Just my take.
Like Scamp said, if anyone wants to give out pointers or ask for advice, do it. We all want to level up, and we can only do that by growing stronger through fighting each other. If ANYONE wants to learn how to beat me, exploit my weaknesses, or spot my tricks and oki’s, just ask me (or jose, or koogy, or martin, or danny, or chef, or reaver, or truffle, or scamp… you get the point). I’m not gonna get better defensively unless you ARE exploiting my weaknesses, and I’m not gonna get better offensively or more creative with my mixups unless you learn how to shut me out. I noticed last night that I have a very predictable pattern at point blank, but truffle was the only one taking advantage of it. Let’s change that, I wanna get better, not just keep doing the same poke poke poke combo, but if it keeps working, I’m gonna keep doing it. 
TL;DR? :Shame on high ranks for ducking lower level players! Be a man and back that rank up! Or get your ass handed to you when they catch up, your choice. Still worried? Okay then, maybe a +2/-1 system instead. Ask me how to beat me, I’ll tell you, so should anyone else.
