[hyperpape]

Go is also winner take all. It's psychologically satisfying to have a big win, in the same way that it's psychologically satisfying to achieve a brilliant checkmate, but in any ordinary game or tournament (outside of certain gambling setups), a win by 1/2 point is the same as a win by 20+ points.

[aidenn0]

Yes and no. One could say this of any game with points where the margin of victory doesn't affect long-term outcomes (e.g. most ball games).

A win by 1/2 point or 20 points it suggests a very different relative skill between the two players. Similarly the custom of the stronger player playing white without komi suggests that the point differential matters.

[kuboble]

Not necessarily. In go you often calculate the score and come up with a conclusion that by playing proper moves you will lose by a small margin.

So instead you launch a desperate maneuver in a hope to either turn the game around or lose by 30 points.

[aidenn0]

I see what you're saying; this is true for any game scored win/loss. Even gridiron football if you're down by 4 points with time almost out you won't kick a field goal (worth 3 points).