Rules of Go

Go is a game for two players. Black plays first, then players alternate placing one stone on an empty intersection. A placed stone stays on the board unless captured.

Stones of the same colour joined along grid lines form a group. Empty intersections next to a group are its liberties. A group with no liberties is captured and removed.

You cannot play a move that leaves your own group without liberties unless it captures opposing stones first. The ko rule prevents an immediate repetition; additional repetition rules depend on the selected ruleset.

You may pass instead of placing a stone. Two consecutive passes begin scoring. Agree which groups are dead, or resume play to resolve a disagreement.

Under Chinese area scoring, count your stones and surrounded empty intersections. Under Japanese territory scoring, count territory and prisoners. White receives the agreed komi. The player with the higher total wins.

Start on a 9×9 board, practise capturing and keeping groups alive, then try 13×13 or 19×19. Check the rules, komi and time control before starting a game.