Go

How to play Go

Go is an ancient strategy game from China, over 2,500 years old. The rules are simple; the strategy is endless. The 9×9 board is the perfect way to learn.

1. Black goes first. Take turns placing one stone on any empty point where the lines cross. Stones don’t move once placed.
2. Liberties. The empty points next to a stone (up, down, left, right) are its liberties. Stones of the same colour that touch share their liberties.
3. Capture. Take away a group’s last liberty and it’s captured and removed from the board.
4. No suicide. You can’t play where your stone would have no liberties, unless it captures something.
5. Ko. You can’t make a move that puts the board back exactly how it was after your last move.
6. Pass when there’s nothing useful left. Two passes in a row end the game.

Scoring

We use area scoring: your score is your stones on the board plus the empty points surrounded only by your stones. White gets 6.5 points of komi to make up for going second. Stones that can’t avoid capture are counted as captured at the end; they’re shown faded.

Quick tips for beginners

• Corners first, then sides, then the centre. Territory is easiest to make in the corners.
• Watch for atari. A group with only one liberty left is about to be captured: rescue it or give it up.
• Make two eyes. A group with two separate empty points inside it can never be captured.
• Don’t chase everything. Strong, connected groups are worth more than a few captures.

Go FAQ