Complex sentence: Whether fixed handicap placement actually makes it easier or more difficult for the weaker player to learn these points is still an open question, but the nature of these'tutorial' steps may be misunderstood and contested by Western players new to the game.
Split into simpler sentences: Whether fixed handicap placement makes it easier or more difficult for the weaker player to learn these points is a moot point. The nature of these'tutorial' steps may be misunderstood and contested by Western players new to the game.