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⚫ Go Guide

Strategy & rules • 5 min read

Overview

Go (called Weiqi in China and Baduk in Korea) is the oldest board game still played in its original form, dating back over 4,000 years. Players place black and white stones on a grid, aiming to control more territory than the opponent. Despite simple rules, Go has more possible positions than atoms in the universe.

How to Play

  1. Click an intersection to place your white stone.
  2. The AI responds with a black stone.
  3. Surround empty intersections to claim territory.
  4. Surround enemy stones to capture them (remove from the board).
  5. Click "Pass Turn" when you have no beneficial moves left.
  6. Two consecutive passes end the game. Score = territory + captures.

Rules

  • Stones are placed on intersections, not squares.
  • A stone or connected group with no empty adjacent intersections (liberties) is captured and removed.
  • Ko rule: You cannot immediately recapture a single stone that just captured your single stone (prevents infinite loops).
  • Komi: White receives 6.5 bonus points to compensate for going second.
  • The game ends when both players pass consecutively.
  • Score = controlled territory + captured stones (+ komi for White/AI).

Strategy Tips

  • Start on the 9×9 board: Full 19×19 Go is overwhelming for beginners.
  • Corners, then sides, then center: It's easier to claim territory in corners with fewer stones.
  • Keep groups connected: Connected stones share liberties and are harder to capture.
  • Don't try to capture everything: Go is about territory, not killing every stone.
  • Learn to read liberties: Count liberties to know if a group is safe or in danger.

Difficulty Levels

  • 9×9: Perfect for beginners. Games are short and tactical.
  • 13×13: Intermediate. Introduces more strategic depth.
  • 19×19: The full experience. Deep strategy, long games, and complex reading.
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