The Game of GOThe Game of GO

How to play and introduction to the gameHow to play and introduction to the game

Introduction to the gameIntroduction to the game Go (Go (碁碁 ?) is a board game for two players, noted ?) is a board game for two players, noted

for being rich in strategic complexity despite its for being rich in strategic complexity despite its simple rules.simple rules.

The game is played by two players who The game is played by two players who alternately place black and white stones (playing alternately place black and white stones (playing pieces,) on the vacant intersections of a grid of pieces,) on the vacant intersections of a grid of 19×19 lines. The object of the game is to control 19×19 lines. The object of the game is to control a larger portion of the board than the opponent. a larger portion of the board than the opponent. A stone or a group of stones is captured and A stone or a group of stones is captured and removed if it has no empty adjacent removed if it has no empty adjacent intersections, the result of being completely intersections, the result of being completely surrounded by stones of the opposing color.surrounded by stones of the opposing color.

Beginning the BasicsBeginning the Basics Go is played on a board with pieces called Go is played on a board with pieces called

"stones" in two colors, black and white. The "stones" in two colors, black and white. The board has a grid on it; usually 19×19, but board has a grid on it; usually 19×19, but 9×9 and 13×13 are sometimes used for 9×9 and 13×13 are sometimes used for teaching, and other sizes can be used as teaching, and other sizes can be used as well.well.

Each player chooses a color (either black or Each player chooses a color (either black or white), and the players take turns placing white), and the players take turns placing stones of their color on the board. Stones stones of their color on the board. Stones are placed on the intersections of the grid, are placed on the intersections of the grid, not in the spaces. Each turn a player places not in the spaces. Each turn a player places exactly one stone on the board. the player exactly one stone on the board. the player with the black stones moves first.with the black stones moves first.

GroupsGroups When two or more stones are When two or more stones are

adjacent to each other through the adjacent to each other through the intersecting lines, they are intersecting lines, they are considered to be one group. they are considered to be one group. they are not connected to the group by not connected to the group by Diagonals. We will be considering a Diagonals. We will be considering a single stone to be a group for this single stone to be a group for this tutorial.tutorial.

GroupsGroups

LibertiesLiberties

Liberties are the Liberties are the adjacent empty adjacent empty space next to space next to groups.groups.

When your group no When your group no longer has liberties, longer has liberties, it is captured and it is captured and removed from the removed from the board.board.

4 Liberties

LibertiesLiberties

CapturesCaptures

As previously stated a stone (A.K.A. As previously stated a stone (A.K.A. group) is captured when it no longer has group) is captured when it no longer has liberties, here are some more examples.liberties, here are some more examples.

DIM 1 DIM 2

Captures PlusCaptures Plus

As you play go to you may notice that you As you play go to you may notice that you have that he opportunity to fill in your last have that he opportunity to fill in your last liberty. This is considered to the suicide liberty. This is considered to the suicide and not allowed.and not allowed.

Now let's think more about capturing stones. Now let's think more about capturing stones. Look at this stones below:Look at this stones below:

these stones are harder than usual to capture. these stones are harder than usual to capture. Why? Because it completely surrounds some Why? Because it completely surrounds some empty space. This makes it hard to capture, empty space. This makes it hard to capture, because for black to capture it, black can't fill because for black to capture it, black can't fill up the middle first; the black stones would up the middle first; the black stones would commit suicide if they tried! Black has to first commit suicide if they tried! Black has to first fill up the outside, then fill up the middlefill up the outside, then fill up the middle

EyesEyes Into the previous situations the Into the previous situations the

stones were surrounding a stones were surrounding a unoccupied space, these are called unoccupied space, these are called eyes. If your group has two eyes it eyes. If your group has two eyes it cannot be captured. therefore this is cannot be captured. therefore this is a good plan of action.a good plan of action.

The K.O. RuleThe K.O. RuleSometimes in a go game, you get a situation where two players want Sometimes in a go game, you get a situation where two players want

to keep recapturing each other. The simplest example is like this:to keep recapturing each other. The simplest example is like this:

Notice that either player can capture in the middle; on the other Notice that either player can capture in the middle; on the other player's turn, they can capture right back! This would go on player's turn, they can capture right back! This would go on forever, so the "ko" rule was invented to make the players continue forever, so the "ko" rule was invented to make the players continue onward.onward.

The ko rule says that you can never make a capture that brings the The ko rule says that you can never make a capture that brings the board right back to where it was before. This sounds confusing, but board right back to where it was before. This sounds confusing, but it's easy in practice. Basically, when you see a chance to capture it's easy in practice. Basically, when you see a chance to capture one stone back and forth - you can't! Instead you have to play one stone back and forth - you can't! Instead you have to play somewhere else. Then your opponent can either fill in the capture somewhere else. Then your opponent can either fill in the capture space (saving their stone). If your opponent doesn't do this, then space (saving their stone). If your opponent doesn't do this, then you are free to capture the stone because the board has changed. you are free to capture the stone because the board has changed. After this, it is your opponent who has to play somewhere else.After this, it is your opponent who has to play somewhere else.

Ending the gameEnding the game

Knowing the win two in the game can Knowing the win two in the game can be difficult for a beginner, but it is be difficult for a beginner, but it is simple if you keep in mind that you no simple if you keep in mind that you no longer can achieve any more points and longer can achieve any more points and by continuing to play you may lose by continuing to play you may lose points (by either filling in your areas or points (by either filling in your areas or your stone being captured) in this your stone being captured) in this adjacent you should pass. When you adjacent you should pass. When you and your opponent pass the game and your opponent pass the game comes to a end.comes to a end.

Scoring the GameScoring the Game After both players have passed consecutively, the stones that are After both players have passed consecutively, the stones that are

still on the board but unable to avoid capture, called dead stones, still on the board but unable to avoid capture, called dead stones, are removed. (When both sides have passed, skilled players will are removed. (When both sides have passed, skilled players will usually agree which stones are dead and which are alive.)usually agree which stones are dead and which are alive.)

Area scoring (including Chinese): A player's score is the number Area scoring (including Chinese): A player's score is the number of stones they have on the board, plus the number of empty of stones they have on the board, plus the number of empty intersections surrounded by that player's stones.intersections surrounded by that player's stones.

Territory scoring (including Japanese and Korean): In the course Territory scoring (including Japanese and Korean): In the course of the game, each player retains the stones they capture, termed of the game, each player retains the stones they capture, termed prisoners. Any dead stones removed at the end of the game prisoners. Any dead stones removed at the end of the game become prisoners. The score is the number of empty points become prisoners. The score is the number of empty points enclosed by a player's stones, plus the number of prisoners enclosed by a player's stones, plus the number of prisoners captured by that player.captured by that player.

If there is disagreement about which stones are dead, then under If there is disagreement about which stones are dead, then under area scoring rules, the players simply resume play to resolve the area scoring rules, the players simply resume play to resolve the matter. The score is computed using the position after the next matter. The score is computed using the position after the next time the players pass consecutively. Under territory scoring, the time the players pass consecutively. Under territory scoring, the rules are considerably more complex; however, in practice, rules are considerably more complex; however, in practice, players will generally play on, and, once the status of each stone players will generally play on, and, once the status of each stone has been determined, return to the position at the time the first has been determined, return to the position at the time the first two consecutive passes occurred and remove the dead stonestwo consecutive passes occurred and remove the dead stones

Congratulations! You made Congratulations! You made it through the basic tutorial it through the basic tutorial

now Go play Gonow Go play Go

Advanced tactics Advanced tactics and strategiesand strategies

Capturing tactics, reading Capturing tactics, reading ahead, KO fighting, basic ahead, KO fighting, basic

concepts and opening concepts and opening strategies.strategies.

Reading aheadReading ahead One of the most important skills required for strong tactical One of the most important skills required for strong tactical

play is the ability to read ahead. Reading ahead includes play is the ability to read ahead. Reading ahead includes considering available moves to play, the possible responses to considering available moves to play, the possible responses to each move, and the subsequent possibilities after each of each move, and the subsequent possibilities after each of those responses. Some of the strongest players of the game those responses. Some of the strongest players of the game can read up to 40 moves ahead even in complicated positions.can read up to 40 moves ahead even in complicated positions.

As explained in the scoring rules, some stone formations can As explained in the scoring rules, some stone formations can never be captured and are said to be alive, while other stones never be captured and are said to be alive, while other stones may be in the position where they cannot avoid being may be in the position where they cannot avoid being captured and are said to be dead. Much of the practice captured and are said to be dead. Much of the practice material available to students of the game comes in the form material available to students of the game comes in the form of life and death problems, also known as tsumego. In such of life and death problems, also known as tsumego. In such problems, players are challenged to find the vital move problems, players are challenged to find the vital move sequence that will kill a group of the opponent or save a sequence that will kill a group of the opponent or save a group of their own. Tsumego are considered an excellent way group of their own. Tsumego are considered an excellent way to train a player's ability at reading ahead, and are available to train a player's ability at reading ahead, and are available for all skill levels, some posing a challenge even to top for all skill levels, some posing a challenge even to top players.players.

Capturing tactics Capturing tactics The most basic technique is the The most basic technique is the

ladderladder. To capture stones in a . To capture stones in a ladder, a player uses a constant ladder, a player uses a constant series of capture threats to force series of capture threats to force the opponent into a zigzag the opponent into a zigzag pattern as shown in the diagram pattern as shown in the diagram to the right. Unless the pattern to the right. Unless the pattern runs into friendly stones along runs into friendly stones along the way, the stones in the ladder the way, the stones in the ladder cannot avoid capture. cannot avoid capture. Experienced players will Experienced players will recognize the futility of recognize the futility of continuing the pattern and will continuing the pattern and will play elsewhere. The presence of play elsewhere. The presence of a ladder on the board does give a ladder on the board does give a player the option to play a a player the option to play a stone in the path of the ladder, stone in the path of the ladder, thereby threatening to rescue thereby threatening to rescue their stones, forcing a response. their stones, forcing a response. Such a move is called a Such a move is called a ladder ladder breakerbreaker and may be a powerful and may be a powerful strategic move. In the diagram, strategic move. In the diagram,

Capturing tacticsCapturing tactics Another technique to Another technique to

capture stones is the so-capture stones is the so-called net, also known by called net, also known by its Japanese name, geta. its Japanese name, geta. This refers to a move that This refers to a move that loosely surrounds some loosely surrounds some stones, preventing their stones, preventing their escape in all directions. An escape in all directions. An example is given in the example is given in the diagram to the left. It is diagram to the left. It is generally better to capture generally better to capture stones in a net than in a stones in a net than in a ladder, because a net does ladder, because a net does not depend on the not depend on the condition that there are no condition that there are no opposing stones in the way, opposing stones in the way, nor does it allow the nor does it allow the opponent to play a opponent to play a strategic ladder breaker.strategic ladder breaker.

Capturing tacticsCapturing tactics A third technique to capture stones is the snapback.6 In a A third technique to capture stones is the snapback.6 In a

snapback, one player allows a single stone to be captured, snapback, one player allows a single stone to be captured, then immediately plays on the point formerly occupied by then immediately plays on the point formerly occupied by that stone; by so doing, the player captures a larger group of that stone; by so doing, the player captures a larger group of their opponent's stones, in effect snapping back at those their opponent's stones, in effect snapping back at those stones. An example can be seen on the right. As with the stones. An example can be seen on the right. As with the ladder, an experienced player will not play out such a ladder, an experienced player will not play out such a sequence, recognizing the futility of capturing only to be sequence, recognizing the futility of capturing only to be captured back immediately.captured back immediately.

Ko fightingKo fighting In situations when the Ko rule applies, a ko fight may occur. If the In situations when the Ko rule applies, a ko fight may occur. If the

player who is prohibited from capture is of the opinion that the player who is prohibited from capture is of the opinion that the capture is important, because it prevents a large group of stones capture is important, because it prevents a large group of stones from being captured for instance, the player may play a ko threat. from being captured for instance, the player may play a ko threat. This is a move elsewhere on the board that threatens to make a This is a move elsewhere on the board that threatens to make a large profit if the opponent does not respond. If the opponent does large profit if the opponent does not respond. If the opponent does respond to the ko threat, the situation on the board has changed, respond to the ko threat, the situation on the board has changed, and the prohibition on capturing the ko no longer applies. Thus and the prohibition on capturing the ko no longer applies. Thus the player who made the ko threat may now recapture the ko. the player who made the ko threat may now recapture the ko. Their opponent is then in the same situation and can either play a Their opponent is then in the same situation and can either play a ko threat as well, or concede the ko by simply playing elsewhere. ko threat as well, or concede the ko by simply playing elsewhere. If a player concedes the ko, either because they do not think it If a player concedes the ko, either because they do not think it important or because there are no moves left that could function important or because there are no moves left that could function as a ko threat, they have lost the ko, and their opponent may as a ko threat, they have lost the ko, and their opponent may connect the ko.connect the ko.

Instead of responding to a ko threat, a player may also choose to Instead of responding to a ko threat, a player may also choose to ignore the threat and connect the ko. They thereby win the ko, but ignore the threat and connect the ko. They thereby win the ko, but at a cost. The choice of when to respond to a threat and when to at a cost. The choice of when to respond to a threat and when to ignore it is a subtle one, which requires a player to consider many ignore it is a subtle one, which requires a player to consider many factors, including how much is gained by connecting, how much is factors, including how much is gained by connecting, how much is lost by not responding, how many possible ko threats both players lost by not responding, how many possible ko threats both players have remaining, what the optimal order of playing them is, and have remaining, what the optimal order of playing them is, and what the size—points lost or gained—of each of the remaining what the size—points lost or gained—of each of the remaining threats is.threats is.

Familiarity with the board shows first Familiarity with the board shows first the tactical importance of the edges, the tactical importance of the edges, and then the efficiency of developing in and then the efficiency of developing in the corners first, then sides, then the corners first, then sides, then center. The more advanced beginner center. The more advanced beginner understands that territory and understands that territory and influence are somewhat influence are somewhat interchangeable—but there needs to be interchangeable—but there needs to be a balance. This intricate struggle of a balance. This intricate struggle of power and control makes the game power and control makes the game highly dynamic.highly dynamic.