Go
Two colours, 361 points, infinity.
- Board
- 19 × 19
- Origin
- China · 2,500+ years
- Notation
- SGF
Meet the game
Go originated in China at least 2,500 years ago. Its rules fit in a sentence: players alternate placing stones, surround more territory to win, stones with no liberties are captured. From those rules grows the deepest variation of any board game.
Learning Go follows its own path: liberties and capture first, then territory and life-and-death, and only later openings and whole-board judgment.
Beginner questions
Learn the game of Go: intersections, liberties, connected stones, captures and ko. Start on a 9×9 practice board before exploring territory and end-of-game scoring.
What are liberties in Go?
Liberties are empty intersections directly adjacent horizontally or vertically to a stone or connected group. Diagonals do not count. A group is captured when the opponent fills all its liberties.
Why start learning on a 9×9 board?
A smaller board makes connections, liberties and captures easier to see. Learn these local rules before whole-board territory, passing and scoring. Completing an exercise is not the same as winning a full game.
Rules and methods: Nihon Ki-in — How to Play Go
Sections
Puzzles
Practise counting liberties, capturing and basic fights on small Go boards, each with a goal and an explanation. Rotates daily.
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Glossary
Every common Go term on one page, each with a plain explanation and an example, linked back to the beginner lessons.
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History
How Go began and how its rules changed, in a short timeline — then try it yourself in the lessons and practice pages.
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Play
Start on a 9×9 board. Practice liberties, captures and territory with beginner AI, local play or a directly connected friend.
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