~Go - Introduction in GO Game - Booklet

(1)

G

Go

o

T

The m

he mos

ost

t cha

chall

lleng

engiing

ng

board game in the world

An introduction to this ancient and fascinating game

The Br

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T

TOO YOYOKKUU NN II III (1786 – 1867) – AIII (1786 – 1867) – ACTOCTO RSRS PLAPLAYYINGING GGOO

b b y y k k i i n n d d p p e e r r m m i i s s s s i i o o n n

o o f f I I s s h h i i P P r r e e s s s s b b y y k k i i n n d d p p e e r r m m i i s s s s i i o o n n

o o f f I I s s h h i i P P r r e e s s s s A

(3)

The history of Go stretches back

some 3000 years and the rules have

remained essentially unchanged

thro

thro ughout

ughout this v

this very long peri

ery long period.

od.

The game prob

The game prob ably originated in

ably originated in

C

C hina or the H

hina or the H ima

imala

layas

yas and

and

myth

myth ology has

ology has it that the future of

it that the future of

Tibet was once dec

Tibet was once decided over a G

ided over a G o

o

board w

board w hen th

hen th e B

e Budd

udd his

hist r

t r ule

ulerr

refuse

refused t

d t o go int

o go int o b

o b attle;

attle; instea

instead h

d h ee

challenged the aggressor to a game

of Go

of Go to avoi

to avoid bloodshed.

d bloodshed.

In the Far East, where it originated,

G

G o enjoys gre

o enjoys great popu

at popu la

larity t

rity t oday

oday

and int

and interes

erest in t

t in t he ga

he game is g

me is grow

row ing

ing

stea

steadily in Eur

dily in Eur ope and A

ope and A merica

merica..

Like Chess, Go is a game of skill –

it’

it’s been

s been described

described as being like fou

as being like fourr

C

C hess

hess ga

games g

mes going on

oing on together o

together o n

n

the same board – bu

the same board – bu t it d

t it d if

iffe

fers from

rs from

C

C hess

hess in many w

in many w ays.

ays. Th

The rules

e rules of

of

Go are very simple and though, like

Chess, it is a challenge to players’

analytical skills, there is far more

sc

scope in G

ope in G o for intu

o for intu iti

ition.

on.

G

G o is a te

o is a terr

rritorial g

itorial game.

ame. The bo

The bo ard,

ard,

marked w

marked w ith a grid of 19 li

ith a grid of 19 lines by 19

nes by 19

lines, may be thought of as a piece of

la

land

nd to

to be sha

be shared betwee

red between t

n t he two

he two

players.

players. O

O ne playe

ne player has a s

r has a supp

upp ly of

ly of

black pieces, called stones, the other

a supply o

a supply o f white. The game s

f white. The game starts

tarts

with an empty b

with an empty b oard and th

oard and th e pla

e players

yers

take turns, placing one stone at each

tur

tur n o

n on a va

n a vaca

cant

nt po

point. Bl

int. Blac

ack p

k pla

lays

ys

fi

first and

rst and the ston

the ston es

es are pla

are place

ced o

d on t

n the

he

intersec

intersections o

tions o f the lines rather t

f the lines rather t han

han

in the squares. O

in the squares. O nce pla

nce played, stones

yed, stones

are not moved al

are not moved altho

tho ugh they may be

ugh they may be

surroun

surroun ded and so captured, i

ded and so captured, in

n

wh

whic

ich case

h case they

they are removed from

are removed from

the board as prisoners.

The players normall

The players normally start b

y start b y staking

y staking

ou

out t

t their respective

heir respective cla

claims to

ims to

diff

different parts of th

erent parts of th e board w

e board w hich

hich

they intend eventually to surround

and thereby m

and thereby m ake i

ake into

nto territor

territory

y..

H

H owever

owever, fi

, fights betw

ghts betw ee

een enemy

n enemy

groups pro

groups pro vi

vide much of the

de much of the

excitement in a game and can result

in dramatic exchanges of territory.

At the end of the game the players

count one point for each vacant

intersec

intersection

tion insi

inside th

de th ei

eir o

r o wn

wn

territory

territory and one point

and one point for ev

for every

ery

stone they have captured. The one

with

with the large

the larger t

r t ot

otal i

al is the winn

s the winn er

er..

C

C aptur

apturing s

ing ston

ton es i

es is ce

s certainly one

rtainly one

way of ga

way of gaini

ining territory

ng territory but

but one of

one of

the subtleties of Go is that aggression

doesn’t always pay. The strategic and

tactical possibilities of the game are

endless, providing a challenge and

enjoyment to players at every level

and the personalities of the players

emerg

emerge v

e very cle

ery clearl

arly o

y o n t

n the G

he G o b

o board.

oard.

The game reflects the skills of the

players in balancing attack and

defe

defence, making stones wo

nce, making stones work

rk

efficiently, remaining flexible in

response to

response to changi

changing situations,

ng situations,

timing, analysing accurately and

recognis

recognising th

ing the strengths and

e strengths and

weaknesses of the opponent.

In

In short

short , G

, Go is a g

o is a game i

ame it is

t is

impossible to outgrow.

Introduction to the game of Go

Go is unique among games

(4)

What makes Go so special

As an intellectual challenge Go is

extraordinary. The rules are very

simple yet attempts to program

computers to p

computers to p la

lay G

y G o have

o have met with

met with

little success; even the best programs

fail to avoid making simple mistakes.

Apart from beating the computer,

Go offers major attractions to

anyon

anyon e who

e who enjoys ga

enjoys games of skil

mes of skill:

l:

❍

_{There is gre}

_{There is great scope for intu}

_{at scope for intu ition}

_ition

and experime

and experiment

nt in a g

in a game of Go

ame of Go ,,

especially in the opening. Like

Chess, Go has its opening

strategies and tactics but players

can become quite strong knowing

no

no mor

more than a few basi

e than a few basic patterns.

c patterns.

❍

_{A great adva}

_{A great advantage of G}

_{ntage of Go is the}

_{o is the}

very effective handicapping

system. This enables players of

widely diff

widely differing strengths to

ering strengths to play

play

ea

each oth

ch other on equal terms withou

er on equal terms withou tt

distorting t

distorting the charac

he character o

ter of the game.

f the game.

❍

_{The objec}

_{The object in G}

_{t in G o is to make more}

_{o is to make more}

territory t

territory t han the other playe

han the other player by

r by

surro

surro un

unding it mor

ding it mor e e

e eff

ffic

icie

ient

ntly or

ly or

by

by attacking the opp

attacking the opp onent

onent ’’ss

stones to greater ef

stones to greater effe

fect. O

ct. O n such a

n such a

large board, it’s possible to do

somewhat badly in one area but

still to win the game by doing

better on the board as a whole.

❍

_{Every game of Go quickly takes}

on a character of its own – no two

games are alike. Since a player

nee

needs only t

ds only t o h

o h av

ave more territory

e more territory

than the oppon

than the oppon ent in order to win,

ent in order to win,

there are very few dr

there are very few drawn games

awn games

thou

though the out

gh the out come ma

come may h

y hang i

ang in

n

the b

the bal

alance

ance unt

unt il the ve

il the very

ry end.

end.

A brief history of the game

G

G o is probably the oldes

o is probably the oldest bo

t bo ard

ard

ga

game in th

me in the world. It

e world. It is

is sa

said that t

id that t he

he

fi

first Em

rst Em peror

peror of C

of C hina – himse

hina – himself

lf aa

myt

myt hologica

hological fi

l figure – inve

gure – invented

nted th

thee

game in order to improve the mind

of his slow-witted son.

Altho

Altho ugh o

ugh o rigi

riginating in ce

nating in centr

ntr al

al

Asia, historically it was in Japan

that the game really flourished.

Introduced into Japan around 740

AD

AD , G

, G o w

o w as

as initia

initiall

lly confined to

y confined to

court circles but gradually spread to

the Budd

the Budd hist and Shi

hist and Shinto

nto cl

clergy and

ergy and

among th

among th e S

e Samurai.

amurai. Fro

Fro m t

m t his

his

auspi

auspici

cious begi

ous beginning, Go

nning, Go too

too k ro

k ro ot

ot

in Japanese society. The Japanese

call the game

Igo

which has been

short

short ened to G

ened to G o in the W

o in the Wes

est.

t.

The Japanese government recognised

th

th e va

e value of th

lue of th e ga

e game and

me and in 161

in 1612

2 the to

the to p G

p G o p

o p la

laying fa

ying famili

milies we

es were

re

endowed with

endowed with gra

grants and constituted

nts and constituted

as Go

as Go sc

schoo

hoo ls

ls. O

. O ve

ver t

r t he next 25

he next 250

0 years, the intense rivalry between

years, the intense rivalry between

these s

these schools bro

chools bro ught abo

ught abo ut

ut a gre

a great

at

improvement in t

improvement in t he standard o

he standard o f pla

f play

y..

A r

A r anking s

anking system was se

ystem was set u

t u p w

p w hich

hich

divided professional players into 9

grades or

dans

of which the highest

w

was

as

Meijin

, meaning ‘expert’. This

title

title could be hel

could be held by

d by only o

only o ne

ne

person at a time and was awarded

on

on ly if one p

ly if one p la

layer o

yer o ut

ut cl

clas

asse

sed

d al

all his

l his

contemporaries.

The most significant advances in Go

theory were made in the 1670's by

tthe

he

Meijin

Dosaku who was the

fourth h

fourth h ea

ead of the H

d of the H oninbo S

oninbo School

chool

and po

and po ss

ssibly the greate

ibly the greatest G

st G o p

o pla

layer

yer

in his

in histor

tor y

y. The

. The H

H ouse of

ouse of H

H oninbo

oninbo

was by far th

(5)

four G

four G o S

o Schools

chools, produ

, produ ci

cing more

ng more

Meijins than the other three schools

put together.

The whole structure of professional

G

G o in Japa

o in Japan w

n was

as un

undermined in 186

dermined in 1868

8 when

when the

the S

Sho

hogunate colla

gunate collapsed and

psed and

the Emp

the Emp eror was res

eror was restored t

tored t o p

o p ower

ower..

The G

The G o colle

o college

ges lost their fund

s lost their fund ing a

ing ass

the westernisation of Japanese

soci

society t

ety t oo

ook h

k h old. T

old. Tod

oday

ay, the m

, the m ai

ain

n

organisa

organisation

tion of pr

of pr ofes

ofessi

sion

onal Go

al Go

players in Japan is the

N

N iho

ihon Kiin,

n Kiin,

which increasingly fosters interest in

the ga

the game throu

me throu ghout th

ghout th e world.

e world.

Go in the Far East today

The most important G

The most important G o-pla

o-playing

ying

countries in the Far East are Japan,

China and Korea all of which

maintain communities of professional

pla

players. Maj

yers. Major

or tou

tournaments in t

rnaments in t hes

hesee

countr

countrie

ies attrac

s attract spon

t sponsorship from

sorship from

la

large comp

rge companies a

anies and

nd a following akin

a following akin

to

to big s

big spor

porting ev

ting events here. Unt

ents here. Unt il

il

relatively recently, the strongest

pla

players from Ko

yers from Ko rea a

rea and

nd C

C hina tended

hina tended

to

to go to

go to Ja

Japan

pan as profess

as professionals.

ionals. T

Tod

oday

ay

they are more likely to remain in their

own

own countr

countrie

ies where

s where they become

they become

national heroes. There are perhaps 50

mil

milli

lion

on G

Go

o pla

players in the F

yers in the Far East and

ar East and

many people who don't play still

follow the game with keen interest.

Japan

O

O n his

1938,

n his retireme

H

H oni

retirement in

oninbo

nbo

Shusai

nt in

ce

ceded his title to th

ded his title to th ee

N

N iho

ihon Kiin

n Kiin

for an annual tourn

for an annual tourn ame

ament

nt

betw

betw een all lea

een all leadin

ding players. Si

g players. Since

nce

then o

then o ther m

ther m aj

ajor

or contests have

contests have been

been

introdu

introdu ce

ced, the most import

d, the most import ant bei

ant being

ng

tth

hee

Meijin

and

Kisei

tournaments.

Mor

Mor e rece

e recent

ntly

ly, you

, you ng peop

ng peop le hav

le havee

turn

turn ed awa

ed away from

y from G

G o as they hav

o as they havee

from other traditional elements of

Ja

Japanese c

panese cultur

ultur e. In

e. In spite of th

spite of th is

is

there are still about 10 million

Go players in Japan, some 500 of

wh

whom

om are pro

are profe

fess

ssional.

ional.

China

In its original home

G

G o

o iis

s kno

known a

wn ass

Wei

Q

Q ii

which means ‘surrounding game’.

G

G o in

o in C

C hina dev

hina devel

eloped m

oped m ore sl

ore slowly

owly

than in Ja

than in Japan and dur

pan and dur ing the Cultur

ing the Cultur al

al

Revolution t

Revolution the ga

he game suff

me suffered thr

ered throu

ough

gh

being regarded as an intellectual

pursuit. As a result, it is only recently

th

that C

at C hinese pla

hinese players have matched

yers have matched

the strength of the Japanese. Today,

W

Wei Ch

ei Ch i is

i is being re-intro

being re-intro duced in

duced in

schools and tournaments are held

throughout the country. There is also

the annual match between China and

Japan which is followed with great

interest. With the opening up of

C

C hina, C

hina, C hinese profes

hinese professi

sionals are

onals are

now frequent visitors at European

Go tournaments. Go is also played

professionally in Taiwan.

Korea

Baduk

H

H ere

ere G

G o is

and is very

o is known as

known as

po

pular. Kor

. Korea

eans have a

ns have a reput

reput ation

ation

for p

for pla

laying ve

ying very

ry fa

fast. Fas

st. Fast o

t or n

r not

ot they

they

are al

are also pr

so prod

oducing some of th

ucing some of the wor

e world’

ld’ss

strongest players. Both China and

Korea have a growing population of

very strong young players, a

phenomenon which bodes well for

th

the f

e futu

utu re deve

re development

lopment of th

of the g

e game.

ame.

We

Wei Qi Q ii – the C– the C hineshinesee charac

characters for Gters for G oo

Igo

Igo – the Japanese– the Japanese Kanji

(6)

Go

Go in E

in Europe

urope

Altho

Altho ugh th

ugh th e g

e game of

ame of G

G o had been

o had been

described by western travellers to

the Far E

the Far E as

ast in th

t in th e 1

e 17th ce

7th centu

ntu ry

ry it

it

was not p

was not p la

layed in Eu

yed in Eu rop

rop e until 18

e until 1880

80 when a German, O

when a German, O tto

tto Korsc

Korschel

helt,

t,

wrote a book about the game.

After th

After th is s

is some G

ome G o w

o w as pl

as played in

ayed in

G

G ermany an

ermany an d Y

d Yugoslav

ugoslavia.

ia. H

H ow

ow eve

everr

the game was slow to spread and it

was not until 1958 that the first

regular European Championship

was held.

N

N owadays

owadays, Go

, Go is

is pla

played in most

yed in most

Euro

Euro pea

pean

n countries

countries. The standard of

. The standard of

play is significantly below that of

professionals in the Far East but the

gap is steadily closing as more of the

top European players are spending

time stud

time stud ying th

ying th e ga

e game in Japan.

me in Japan.

In 199

In 1992,

2, a European G

a European G o C

o C entre was

entre was

opened in Amste

opened in Amsterdam with suppor

rdam with suppor tt

from Iwamoto Kaoru.

Go

Go in Bri

in Britain

tain

Go has been played in Britain at least

si

since the thirt

nce the thirt ie

ies but

s but was not

was not played

played

on an organised basis until 1964

when the British Go Association

– the BG

– the BG A – was formed. Today

A – was formed. Today, G

, G o

o

players c

players can be nu

an be nu mbered in

mbered in

thousands. There are over 50 Go

cl

club

ubs i

s in Britain and th

n Britain and th e s

e standard

tandard of

of

play compares reasonably with the

rest of Europe. Matthew Macfadyen,

Britain’s top player in recent years,

won t

won t he Europ

he Europ ea

ean C

n C hampionshi

hampionship in

p in

1980, 1984, 1987 and 1989.

A Britis

A British C

h C hampionshi

hampionship and

p and aa

British Youth Championship are held

every year and there are Go

tournaments throughout the country.

These often attract upwards of a

hundred players, including many

begi

beginners and y

nners and y oun

oun g pla

g players. An

yers. An

open British Go Congress has been

held at a different venue each year

since 1968.

A

(7)

Wha

What t

t t he BGA does

he BGA does

The BG

The BG A is a v

A is a volunt

olunt ary o

ary organis

rganisation

ation

which promotes the game of Go in

the U

the U nited Kingdom. Members

nited Kingdom. Membership is

hip is

open to

open to al

all on p

l on p ayme

ayment

nt of an annual

of an annual

subscription and the BGA aims to

suppo

suppo rt

rt players of a

players of all

ll standards. Its

standards. Its

most important activities benefit all

BGA

BGA members

members::

❍

_{A bi-monthly newsletter is sent}

to

to al

all members.

l members.

❍

_{Each year members receive 4}

is

issues

sues of th

of th e Bri

e British G

tish G o Jour

o Jour nal,

nal,

a maga

a magazine of n

zine of news, c

ews, comm

omm ent,

ent,

instructional articles and game

commentaries.

❍

_{The BGA makes available a wide}

selection of books and equipment

to members at moderate prices.

These

These ca

can b

n b e ordered by

e ordered by post o

post o rr

bought at most Go tournaments.

❍

_In

_{In conjunc}

_{conjunction w}

_{tion w ith internationa}

_{ith internationall}

Go organisations, the BGA

supports the playing and teaching

of Go.

❍

_{The BGA h}

_{The BGA h el}

_{elps to attract more}

_{ps to attract more}

players to the game through

va

various

rious pro

pro mot

mot ional activ

ional activitie

ities.

s.

Services mainly for beginners

The BG

The BG A m

A mai

aintains li

ntains lists of members

sts of members

and of Go clubs. These are available

to members wishing to find new

oppo

oppo nents. The B

nents. The BG

G A als

A also

o

encourage

encourages the formation

s the formation of new

of new

cl

club

ubs – i

s – including sc

ncluding scho

hool G

ol G o clubs –

o clubs –

by providing ‘starter sets’ and

advis

advising o

ing o rganisers.

rganisers.

T

Two

wo tru

tru st funds, the C

st funds, the C as

astledine T

tledine Trust

rust

and the Susan Barnes Trust exist to

promote the playing of Go by young

people.

Helping players to improve

Th

There is a

ere is an

n ex

extensiv

tensive pr

e programme o

ogramme o f

f

G

G o to

o to urn

urn ame

aments dur

nts dur ing

ing the yea

the yearr,,

some of which are organis

some of which are organised by

ed by the

the

BGA which maintains a tournament

sc

schedule

hedule. O

. O ther to

ther to urnaments are

urnaments are

organi

organise

sed b

d b y G

y G o clubs,

o clubs, support

support ed by

ed by

the BGA in various ways. Most

to

tourn

urn aments are orga

aments are organise

nised in such a

d in such a

way as to allow players of all

streng

strengths to

ths to take pa

take part

rt by

by matchi

matching

ng

th

them aga

em against players of

inst players of

appro

appro xi

ximately the same s

mately the same strength

trength ..

The BGA runs a game analysis service

provided by some of the country’s

stron

stron ge

gest p

st pla

layers. S

yers. Str

trong

ong players are

players are

also encouraged to visit clubs to give

teaching and simultaneous games,

subsidised by the BGA. The BGA

also supports teaching visits by

pr

profes

ofessi

sional G

onal G o p

o p la

layers.

yers.

Services for stronger players

The BGA

The BGA rec

records t

ords t he res

he results of top

ults of top

level tournament games and

organises a grading system in which

stron

stron g pla

g players ac

yers achiev

hieve pro

e promot

mot ion

ion

through

d

dan

an

grades according to

th

thei

eir r

r res

esults in tou

ults in tou rnament

rnament play

play..

A three stage British Championship

is orga

is organise

nised ann

d ann uall

ually and

y and the BG

the BG A

A

al

also lia

so liais

ises wi

es with

th th

the Eur

e Europ

opea

ean G

n G o

o

Federa

Federation and

tion and the Int

the Int ernati

ernational Go

onal Go

Federation. A British Youth

C

Cha

hampi

mpions

onship

hip is al

is also h

so h el

eld

d annually

annually..

T

(8)

A game of Go starts with an empty A game of Go starts with an empty board and each player has an effectively board and each player has an effectively unlimited supply of ston

unlimited supply of ston eses, one taking, one taking the black stones,

the black stones, the otthe ot her taking white.her taking white. The basic object of the game is to use The basic object of the game is to use one’s stones to form territories by one’s stones to form territories by surro

surro unding vacunding vacant areas ant areas of the boof the bo ard. Itard. It is also possible to capture the opponent’s is also possible to capture the opponent’s stones by completely surrounding them. stones by completely surrounding them. The p

The p lalayers take turyers take tur ns, plans, placicing one of ng one of their stones on a vacant point at each their stones on a vacant point at each tur

tur n, Bln, Blacack playing fk playing first. Nirst. N ote thote th at theat the

stones are placed on the intersections of stones are placed on the intersections of the line

the lines rather than in ths rather than in th e se squares. quares. OO ncence playe

played, stones are not d, stones are not moved almoved althotho ughugh they m

they m ay be captured, in way be captured, in w hich cahich case theyse they are removed from the board and kept by are removed from the board and kept by the captur

the captur ing plaing player as pryer as pr isisoners.oners. At

At the end othe end o f the game the plaf the game the players countyers count one po

one po int for int for eaeach vacch vacant poant po int insideint inside thei

their owr ow n territory n territory and one point forand one point for ev

every stonery ston e they he they h avave cae captuptu red. Thered. The playe

player wr w ith the largeith the larger tor to tal of territorytal of territory plus prisoners is the winner.

plus prisoners is the winner. Diagram 1

Diagram 1 shows the position at the endshows the position at the end of a ga

of a game on me on a 9 by 9 board, dua 9 by 9 board, du ringring which Bl

which Blacack capturk captur ed one whed one wh ite site stonton ee which had b

which had b eeeen atn at aa..

Black has surrounded 15 points of Black has surrounded 15 points of territory, 10 in the lower right corner territory, 10 in the lower right corner and 5 towards the top of the board and 5 towards the top of the board .. Bl

Black’ack’s terrs terr itory itory inclincludes tudes t he phe p ointoint aa formerly occupied by the stone he has formerly occupied by the stone he has captured. A

captured. A dding hdding h is prisoner, Bis prisoner, Blaclack k hashas a tot

a tot al of 1al of 16 points.6 points.

White’s territory is 17 points however so White’s territory is 17 points however so White wins the ga

White wins the game by onme by on e point.e point.

Ho

How

w to

to pl

pla

ay G

y G o

o

The rules and an example game

A l t h o

A l t h o u g h t h

u g h t h e n o r m

e n o r m a l

a l s i

s iz e o f a

z e o f a

Go board is 19 by 19 lines, it is

possible to use smaller sizes.

Beg

Beginn

inn ers can le

ers can learn t

arn t he basics

he basics on

on

a 9 by 9 bo

a 9 by 9 bo ard and

ard and a quick game c

a quick game can

an

be played on a 13 by 13 board

with

with ou

out losing the ess

t losing the essential c

ential character

haracter

of the g

of the game.

ame. Th

The

e foll

follow

owing

ing ex

examples

amples

all use a 9 by 9 board.

a

D

(9)

Diagram 2

Diagram 2 shows thrshows thr ee iee isolasolated wted w hitehite stones with t

stones with t heir liheir liberties marked byberties marked by crosses. Stones which are on the edge of crosses. Stones which are on the edge of the board clearly have fewer liberties the board clearly have fewer liberties than those in the centre of the board. than those in the centre of the board. A single stone on the side is reduced to A single stone on the side is reduced to thr

thr ee lee liberties iberties and a stone in tand a stone in t he cornerhe corner has only t

has only t wo wo lilibertiesberties.. Diagram 3

Diagram 3 shows the same thrshows the same thr ee see stonton eses of

of Diagram 2Diagram 2 eaeach with och with o nly one libertynly one liberty le

left and tft and t herefore subjeherefore subject to ct to cacaptuptu re onre on

Black's next move. Each of these white Black's next move. Each of these white stones is said to be in

stones is said to be in atari,atari, meaning theymeaning they are about to be captured.

are about to be captured. Diagram 4

Diagram 4 shows the poshows the po sisition wtion w hichhich would arise if Black went on to play at would arise if Black went on to play at b

b inin Diagram 3Diagram 3. Black has taken the. Black has taken the captured stone from the board and in a captured stone from the board and in a real game would keep it as a prisoner. real game would keep it as a prisoner. The same remarks obvi

The same remarks obviously apply to ously apply to thethe oth

oth er two er two white stones should Blwhite stones should Blacack playk play at

at cc oror dd inin Diagram 4Diagram 4..

The p

The points wh

oints wh ic

ich are ho

h are horizon

rizon tall

tally and

y and ve

vertical

rtically adja

ly adjace

cent

nt to

to a stone, or a grou

a stone, or a group

p

of stones, are known as

of stones, are known as liberties

liberties. An isolated stone or group of stones is

. An isolated stone or group of stones is

ca

capt

ptured

ured wh

when all

en all of its libertie

of its liberties are occ

s are occupied b

upied b y enemy

y enemy stones.

stones.

D

D iaiagram 5gram 5

Capturing stones and counting liberties

D D iaiagram 3gram 3

b

x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x D

D iaiagram 2gram 2 DD iaiagram 4gram 4

cc

d

Groups

Stones occupying adjacent points constitute a solidly Stones occupying adjacent points constitute a solidly connected

connected groupgroup. T. Two wo exaexampmples of such solidlyles of such solidly connected group

connected group s of stones as of stones are shown re shown inin Diagram 5Diagram 5.. It is important t

It is important t o remember that oo remember that o nly stones nly stones which awhich arere hor

hor izontally izontally or veor verticalrticallyly adjaceadjacent are solidly cnt are solidly cononnected;nected; diag

diagonals don'onals don' t t count count as cas connections. Thus, for onnections. Thus, for exexampleample,, the tw

the tw o marked bo marked b lalack stones ick stones in thn th e top left of e top left of Diagram 5Diagram 5 are not

(10)

Capturi

Capturing

ng grou

groups

ps of ston

of stones

es

As far as capturing is concerned, a solidly connected group As far as capturing is concerned, a solidly connected group of stones is treated as a single unit. As with isolated stones, of stones is treated as a single unit. As with isolated stones, a group is captured when all of its liberties are occupied by a group is captured when all of its liberties are occupied by enemy ston

enemy ston eses..

IInn Diagram 6Diagram 6 the groups of the groups of Diagram 5Diagram 5 have both beenhave both been reduced to just on

reduced to just on e le libertyiberty. N. N ote that tote that t he Blhe Blacack group k group inin the to

the to p right is not yet capturp right is not yet captur ed becaed because of the iuse of the internalnternal li

liberty berty atat f f . The two . The two stones astones at tht th e top left of e top left of Diagram 6Diagram 6 can each be captured independently at

can each be captured independently at gg oror hh..

IInn Diagram 7Diagram 7 we see we see the pthe p ositiosition on which wowhich wo uld ruld r esesult if ult if Black captured at

Black captured at ee and White captured atand White captured at f f andand gg. The. The remaining black stone could be captured at

remaining black stone could be captured at hh. As with the. As with the capture of a single stone, the points formerly occupied by capture of a single stone, the points formerly occupied by the Blac

the Black grouk grou p hp havave become White te become White territorerritor y and y and vivice vce versa.ersa.

A player may not ‘commit suicide’, that is

play a stone into a position where it would

have no liberties or form part of a group

which would thereby have no liberties

un

unle

less

ss, as

, as a res

a result, on

ult, one or

e or mor

mor e of the ston

e of the ston es

es

surrounding it is captured.

ee

f

h

g

h

ii

j

ii

j

D

D iaiagrams 8grams 8 andand 99 illustrate the ruleillustrate the rule governing capture. In

governing capture. In Diagram 8Diagram 8, White, White may not

may not play atplay at ii oror j j since either of thesesince either of these plays would amoun

plays would amoun t tt t o suicio suicide; de; thethe stones would

stones would then then have no libertiehave no liberties.s. H

H owoweveever, r, if if ththe outside liberties have outside liberties havee

been fille

been filled, as showd, as shown inn in Diagram 9Diagram 9, then, then the plays at

the plays at ii andand j j become legal; they fillbecome legal; they fill th

the lase last bt b laclack libertk libert y in y in eaceach case andh case and result in the black stones being captured result in the black stones being captured and removed from the board as White’s and removed from the board as White’s prisoners.

(11)

Li

Life a

fe and dea

nd death

th and th

and the concept o

e concept of eyes

f eyes

IInn Diagram 9Diagram 9, White was able to play at, White was able to play at ii andand j j becausebecause these plays result in the capture of the adjacent black these plays result in the capture of the adjacent black stones. Since White’s plays carry the force of capture they stones. Since White’s plays carry the force of capture they don’t count as suicide.

don’t count as suicide. A d

A d ififfeferent rent sisituation tuation is sis shown hown inin DD iaiagram 10gram 10. The black . The black group

group here could only bhere could only b e cae captuptu red if White were able red if White were able toto play at both

play at both mm andand nn. Since the first of these plays would. Since the first of these plays would be suic

be suicide, ide, there is no way tthere is no way t hat Whhat Wh ite cite can caan carrrr y ouy ou t tt t hehe ca

captuptu re. These two separate spare. These two separate spaceces within ths within th e group e group areare known as

known as eyeseyes..

In

In DD iaiagram 11gram 11, the blac, the black group k group at the botat the bot tom tom is is inin dange

danger or o f being cf being capturaptur ed. Ted. To ensure tho ensure th at his group at his group hashas two eyes, Black needs to play at

two eyes, Black needs to play at oo. If White plays at. If White plays at oo,, the black group w

the black group w ilill no longer be able to make two l no longer be able to make two eyeseyes and cannot avoid eventual capture; White can always fill and cannot avoid eventual capture; White can always fill in the outside liberties and then play at

in the outside liberties and then play at pp andand qq. Black . Black plays at

plays at pp oror qq would only hasten the group's demise.would only hasten the group's demise. The blac

The black group k group at the top at the top leleft of ft of DD iagriagram 11am 11 is alreadyis already alive even though there is a white stone inside one of its alive even though there is a white stone inside one of its eyes. Since White can never capture the black stones, the eyes. Since White can never capture the black stones, the white stone caught inside the group

white stone caught inside the group cacan'n' t bt b e sae saveved.d.

In the course of a real game, players are In the course of a real game, players are not

not obligobliged to ed to complete the cacomplete the captuptu re of anre of an isolated dead group once it is clear to isolated dead group once it is clear to both

both playeplayers that trs that t he group is deahe group is dead.d. In this case, once White has played at In this case, once White has played at oo

in

in DD iaiagram 11gram 11, the situation may be left, the situation may be left as it is until the end of the game. Then, as it is until the end of the game. Then, the dead ston

the dead ston es aes are simply removed fromre simply removed from the board and counted togethe

the board and counted together with r with thethe ca

captuptu ring plaring player'yer' s other prs other pr isisoners.oners.

Any group of stones which has two or more eyes is

permanent

permanently saf

ly safe from captu

e from captu re and is refe

re and is referred

rred to

to as a

as a live

live

group

group. C

. C onversel

onversely

y, a g

, a gro

roup

up of ston

of ston es whic

es which is un

h is unable to

able to

make two eyes and is cut off and surrounded by live

enemy

enemy grou

grou ps is c

ps is call

alled a

ed a dea

dead grou

d group

p

since i

since it is un

t is unable to

able to

avoid eventual capture.

n

m

Diagram 11 Diagram 11

o

p

q

(12)

Th

Thee k

ko

o rule

rule

At the top of

At the top of DD iaiagram 12gram 12, Black can capture a stone, Black can capture a stone by playing at

by playing at rr, resul, resulting in the situation at the tting in the situation at the t op oop o f f D

D iaiagram 13gram 13. H. H owoweveever, this stone is itselr, this stone is itself vulnerable tof vulnerable to ca

captuptu re by re by a White play ata White play at uu inin DD iagriagram 13am 13. If White. If White were allowed to recapture immediately at

were allowed to recapture immediately at uu, the, the position would revert to that in

position would revert to that in DD iaiagram 12gram 12 and thereand there would be nothing to prevent this capture and re-capture would be nothing to prevent this capture and re-capture going on

going on indefinitelyindefinitely. Th. This pattern is pattern of stoof stones is canes is callelledd kk oo – a term meaning eternity – a term meaning eternity – a– and nd two two othoth er possibler possiblee shape

shapes fs for a koor a ko , on the edge of the board or , on the edge of the board or in thein the corner, are also shown in this diagram.

corner, are also shown in this diagram.

The ko rule removes this possibility of indefinite The ko rule removes this possibility of indefinite repetition by for

repetition by for bidding the recabidding the recaptuptu re of the ko, inre of the ko, in this case a play at

this case a play at uu inin DD iaiagram 13gram 13, until White has, until White has played at least one move elsewhere. Black may then fill played at least one move elsewhere. Black may then fill the ko

the ko but but if he cif he chooses not to hooses not to do so, insteado so, instead answeringd answering Wh

White’ite’s inters intervening move elsevening move elsewhwhere, Where, White is thenite is then permitted t

permitted to retake the koo retake the ko . S. Similimilar remarks apply to tar remarks apply to t hehe other two positions in these diagrams; the corresponding other two positions in these diagrams; the corresponding moves at

moves at ww andand vv inin DD iagriagram 13am 13 must also be delayedmust also be delayed by one turn.

by one turn.

Seki

Seki - a kind of local stalemate

- a kind of local stalemate

Usually a group which can’t make two eyes will die Usually a group which can’t make two eyes will die unles

unless one of ts one of t he surrohe surro unding enemy grouunding enemy grou ps alsps also lackso lacks two

two eyeseyes. This often lea. This often leads to ds to a race to capture bua race to capture bu t cant can al

also result in a stand-off situation, knowso result in a stand-off situation, know n asn as sekiseki, in, in which neither group h

which neither group h as two eyes as two eyes but but neither caneither cann capture the other due to a shortage of liberties. Two capture the other due to a shortage of liberties. Two exa

exampmples of seles of seki are shoki are shown wn inin DD iaiagram 14gram 14. N. N eieitherther player can afford to play at

player can afford to play at xx,, yy oror zz since to do sosince to do so wou

wou ld enablld enable the other te the other t o make a cao make a capturptur e.e. N

N ote that even though tote that even though t he groups involvhe groups involved in a sed in a sekieki may have an eye, as a general rule none of the points may have an eye, as a general rule none of the points inside a seki count as territory for either player.

inside a seki count as territory for either player.

The e

The end of th

nd of the game

e game

The game ends by agreement – when The game ends by agreement – when neither player believes that he can make neither player believes that he can make mor

mor e territory, ce territory, capture moapture mo re stones orre stones or reduce his opponent’

reduce his opponent’s territors territor y byy by

playi

playing on. A ng on. A playeplayer wr w ho considers theho considers the game to be over may pass instead of game to be over may pass instead of playing a stone and two consecutive playing a stone and two consecutive passe

passes end s end ththe game.e game. D D iaiagram 12gram 12

tt

rr

ss

v

w

u

x

y

zz

(13)

The r

The r ules deules descscribed in tribed in t his booklet arehis booklet are the Japanese rules and these are the rules the Japanese rules and these are the rules most commo

most commo nly used in the Wenly used in the West. Thest. The Chinese use a different system of rules Chinese use a different system of rules

which are essentially the same but which which are essentially the same but which not

not ably involably involve a dive a difffferent methoerent metho d od o f f counting the score. The two

counting the score. The two sesets of ruts of ru leless usually lead to the same game result. usually lead to the same game result.

Japanese and Chinese rules of Go

As remarked in the introduction, one of As remarked in the introduction, one of the best features of the game of Go is its the best features of the game of Go is its handicap system. A weaker player may handicap system. A weaker player may be given an advantage of anything up to be given an advantage of anything up to nine stones which are placed on the nine stones which are placed on the board in lieu of his first move.

board in lieu of his first move. Thr

Thr ough though th e ge grading srading system, aystem, any tny t wowo players can easil

players can easily establish ty establish t he dhe diffifferenceerence in their strength and therefore how many in their strength and therefore how many stones the weaker player should t

stones the weaker player should t ake inake in ord

ord er to er to compensate fcompensate for or the diffethe difference inrence in strength. Since a player's grade is measured strength. Since a player's grade is measured

in terms of stones,

in terms of stones, the numthe num ber of stonesber of stones for the handicap is simply the difference for the handicap is simply the difference in grade betwee

in grade between thn th e two e two playersplayers.. There is an es

There is an establistablished patthed patt ern for ern for thethe place

placement ment of handof hand icaicap stop sto nes, represenes, representednted by the dots which may be found marked by the dots which may be found marked on any Go board. This is shown in

on any Go board. This is shown in Diagram 15

Diagram 15, seen from the Black player's, seen from the Black player's point

point of viof viewew. For . For handicahandicaps of two ps of two oror thr

thr ee ee stones, stones, where the stones cawhere the stones can'n' t bet be placed symmetrically, the convention is placed symmetrically, the convention is that the far left corner is left vacant. that the far left corner is left vacant.

The handicap system

(14)

G

G o is normo is norm alally playely played on d on a 19 a 19 by 19by 19 bo

board ard (not(not e it’e it’s 19 ls 19 lines not ines not 19 s19 sququares)ares) but

but smalsmalleler r boards are recommended forboards are recommended for beginners. Even boards as small as 5 by 5 beginners. Even boards as small as 5 by 5 can provide an interesting game and 9 by can provide an interesting game and 9 by 9 or 13 by 13 boards are often used even 9 or 13 by 13 boards are often used even by

by strong pstrong p lalayers for a qyers for a q uick gauick game.me. The example game shown here is played The example game shown here is played on a 9 by

on a 9 by 9 board and 9 board and ilillustrates lustrates most omost o f f the rules in action. It's a game played the rules in action. It's a game played between two professionals so don’t between two professionals so don’t expect to grasp all that is going on at a expect to grasp all that is going on at a

first reading. Try to see how the players first reading. Try to see how the players use the thr

use the thr eaeat of capturt of captur e to de to d evevelelop top t heirheir positions.

positions. NN otice otice alalso how they trso how they tr y toy to connect their ow

connect their ow n stones and separan stones and separatete those of the opponent.

those of the opponent.

Most games of Go start fairly peacefully Most games of Go start fairly peacefully with

with eaeach player looselch player loosely my m apping outapping out territory in different parts of the board. territory in different parts of the board. O

O n a full sn a full size board pize board p lalay usually usually startsy starts in the corners. In this example on a small in the corners. In this example on a small board, Black chooses to play his first board, Black chooses to play his first move in the centre.

move in the centre.

An example game of Go

The numbered stones in the figures show the order

in wh

in wh ic

ich t

h t he ston

he ston es a

es are played. In

re played. In la

later figures

ter figures, stones

, stones

which have a

which have alrea

lready

dy been played are not n

been played are not n um

umbered.

bered.

Figure 1 (1 - 7) Figure 1 (1 - 7) 1 1 2 2 4 4 5 5 3 3 6 6 7 7 Figure 2 (8 - 16) Figure 2 (8 - 16) 10 10 8 8 9 9 12 12 1 11 1 1133 14 14 15 15 1616 With 1 and 3 in

With 1 and 3 in Figure 1Figure 1, Bla, Black exerts influence over tck exerts influence over t hehe right side of the board while with 2 and 4, White lays claim right side of the board while with 2 and 4, White lays claim to the top left corner. With 5 Black aims to exclude White to the top left corner. With 5 Black aims to exclude White from t

from t he bothe bot tom tom half of the board. White leahalf of the board. White leans agns agaiainst thnst th ee lone black stone with 6, reducing it to two liberties. With lone black stone with 6, reducing it to two liberties. With 7, Black strengthens his stone at 5 by extending to 7 and 7, Black strengthens his stone at 5 by extending to 7 and now his group has 4 liberties.

now his group has 4 liberties.

IIf f Figure 2Figure 2 seems somewhat alarming, you may find itseems somewhat alarming, you may find it eas

easier to ier to look look back atback at Figure 1Figure 1 and imagine aand imagine adding thdding th e stonese stones one at a time. Better still, play the game out on a board. one at a time. Better still, play the game out on a board. After t

After t he 8 – 9 exhe 8 – 9 exchangchange,e,White puWhite pu shes shes towtow ards the bards the b ottott omom with 10 but r

with 10 but r ather than dather than d efefending the bottoending the botto m lefm left cornt corn erer,, Black changes direction with 11, now trying to fence off Black changes direction with 11, now trying to fence off the top right. Again White leans against the black stone the top right. Again White leans against the black stone and again Black strengthens his stone by extending to 13. and again Black strengthens his stone by extending to 13. White pushes into the gap with 14 and Black blocks at 15. White pushes into the gap with 14 and Black blocks at 15. If Black succeeds in surrounding all of the area to the right If Black succeeds in surrounding all of the area to the right and bot

and bot tom tom of the boardof the board , B, Blalack will ck will have have mormor e territorye territory than W

than W hite has in the tohite has in the to p left. Accp left. Accordord inglinglyy, White cuts, White cuts Black into two with 16, aiming to destroy the Black area at Black into two with 16, aiming to destroy the Black area at the bott

the bott om in the course of om in the course of this athis attack. Nttack. N ote that the threeote that the three black stones to the left of 16 now have only two liberties. black stones to the left of 16 now have only two liberties.

(15)

Bl

Blacack muk mu st do st do something to avoid the imminent capture of something to avoid the imminent capture of the th

the th ree stones cree stones cut ut off by Whoff by Wh ite 1ite 16. In6. In Figure 3Figure 3, Black 17, Black 17 and 19

and 19 are both tare both t hreats to capture White whhreats to capture White wh o fleo flees es in turin tur nn with 18 and 20 (can you see why 17 and 19 are threats?). with 18 and 20 (can you see why 17 and 19 are threats?). With 21, Black has stabilised his group and White's three With 21, Black has stabilised his group and White's three stones are trapped inside Black's sphere of influence. stones are trapped inside Black's sphere of influence. The ou

The ou tcome of the game now htcome of the game now h ingeinges on ts on t he fahe fate of thte of th esesee stones.

stones. If thIf th ey die aey die and Wnd W hite obtains no comphite obtains no comp ensaensation,tion, White will lose. If they live, or can be sacrificed in order to White will lose. If they live, or can be sacrificed in order to reduce Black's territory, White can still win the game.

reduce Black's territory, White can still win the game. Whit

White plays 22 ie plays 22 inn Figure 4Figure 4 in an attempt to in an attempt to exexpand hispand his position along the edge a

position along the edge and nd to to reduce the libertiereduce the liberties of thes of the black stone at

black stone at a.a. Black blocks at 23, preventing WhiteBlack blocks at 23, preventing White from forming a living shape along the second line. With from forming a living shape along the second line. With 24

24, White th, White th reatens to play at 25. Dureatens to play at 25. Du e to e to the prthe pr esesence of ence of 22

22, this move would , this move would sisimultaneouslmultaneously ty t hreaten thhreaten th e cae captuptu rere of the black stone at

of the black stone at aa and of the twand of the tw o stones to to stones to t he lehe left of ft of 25. Since either of these captures would save the white 25. Since either of these captures would save the white stones below, Black plays 25 himself, putting an end to stones below, Black plays 25 himself, putting an end to any possibility of the white stones' escape.

any possibility of the white stones' escape.

Unable to escape and with insufficient space to be able to Unable to escape and with insufficient space to be able to form t

form t wo eyes, White plawo eyes, White plays 26 ys 26 on ton t he outhe out siside. Hde. H is plis plan isan is to

to sasacrifcrificice the stones on e the stones on the rthe r igight ht and in tand in t he prohe pro cecess toss to destroy Black's prospective territory at the bottom. destroy Black's prospective territory at the bottom. Figure 5

Figure 5 shows White's plan put into effect. Black reallyshows White's plan put into effect. Black really has no choice about 27. Black would like to defend the has no choice about 27. Black would like to defend the stone to

stone to the right othe right o f 26 f 26 but but if White gif White gets the chance ets the chance toto block at 27, Black's advantage in the fight will be lost. block at 27, Black's advantage in the fight will be lost. White's plays at 28 and 30 are a device to increase the White's plays at 28 and 30 are a device to increase the val

value of tue of t he sacrifihe sacrifice; ce; BlaBlack muck mu st play at st play at 31 to p31 to p reventrevent White from

White from gegetting an eye by tting an eye by playiplaying there.ng there.

With 32 and 34, White captures Black 21 and now Black With 32 and 34, White captures Black 21 and now Black must capture the sacrificial white stones with 35, 37 and 39 must capture the sacrificial white stones with 35, 37 and 39 while White c

while White creeps areeps along the bottlong the bott om wom w ith 36 aith 36 and 38. Nnd 38. N oteote that a play to the right of 38 is White's privilege. It is not that a play to the right of 38 is White's privilege. It is not urgent since B

urgent since Blalack cannot pck cannot p lalay ty t here. Can here. Can you you sesee whye why ?? With 39, the fight in this part of the board comes to an end. With 39, the fight in this part of the board comes to an end. Although White has lost 7 stones, he has captured one of Although White has lost 7 stones, he has captured one of Bl

Black's and ack's and succsucceeded in destroying teeded in destroying t he bohe bottotto m area, em area, evevenn making a couple of points of territory in the bottom left making a couple of points of territory in the bottom left corner.

corner. FurFur thermothermo re it is re it is stilstill White's turl White's tur n to n to play and he isplay and he is free to take the initiative elsewhere: to expand his own area free to take the initiative elsewhere: to expand his own area or reduce his opponent's; to exploit Black's weaknesses or or reduce his opponent's; to exploit Black's weaknesses or to patch up

to patch up his his own.own.

Figure 3 (17 - 21) Figure 3 (17 - 21) 18 18 19 19 17 17 20 20 21 21 Figure 4 (22 - 26) Figure 4 (22 - 26) 23 23 a a 2222 24 24 26 26 25 25 Figure 5 (27 - 39) Figure 5 (27 - 39) 27 27 2828 33 33 29 29 30 30 31 31 32 32 34 34 35 35 3 36 6 3388 37 37 39 39

Before looking at the Before looking at the next figure, try to next figure, try to decide for yourself decide for yourself where it is most where it is most profitable for White profitable for White to p