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Go

Go

(Public Domain) · -2200
230–180 min8+ yrs3.9/5 complexity7.7 BGG#235 BGG26,6 KCouplesStrategy
short answer

How do you play Go?

The primary objective of Go is to accumulate more points than your opponent by the end of the game. Points are primarily gained by establishing and controlling territory on the board and by capturing your opponent's stones. The player with the higher total score at the end of the game wins.

To find the best price for Go, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.

FromRON 249
Go box art
official art · (Public Domain)
the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01

Setup

Go is a two-player game played on a grid board with black and white stones.

The rules, step by step

Setup
Go is a two-player game where one player uses black stones and the other uses white stones. The game is traditionally played on a 19x19 grid board, though beginners often start on smaller 9x9 or 13x13 boards. Stones are placed on the intersections of the board, which include the sides and corners. Black always plays first.
Objective
The primary objective of Go is to accumulate more points than your opponent by the end of the game. Points are primarily gained by establishing and controlling territory on the board and by capturing your opponent's stones. The player with the higher total score at the end of the game wins.
On your turn
Players take turns placing one stone at a time on any empty intersection on the board. Black plays the first stone, and then players alternate. Stones are connected if they are adjacent along a line, forming 'groups.' These connections are horizontal or vertical, not diagonal. A stone or group's 'liberties' are the empty points adjacent to it. If a stone or group loses all its liberties, it is captured and removed from the board.
Scoring
Your final score is determined by the amount of territory you control plus the number of your stones remaining on the board. Any area completely surrounded by your stones is considered your territory. White receives bonus points, known as 'Komi,' to compensate for Black's advantage of going first. Traditionally, Komi is 7.5 points, which also prevents ties.
Game end
The game concludes when both players consecutively declare a 'pass,' indicating they believe there are no more beneficial moves to make or points to gain. After both players pass, a 'stone removal phase' occurs where any stones that are completely surrounded and would eventually be captured are removed. Finally, players count their territory and remaining stones, adding White's Komi, to determine the winner.
Tips
For beginners, it's a good habit to constantly count the liberties of your stone groups to avoid unexpected captures. A group with only one liberty is in 'Atari,' meaning it's one move away from being captured, so you should try to save it by gaining more liberties. Moves that result in zero liberties for your own stone or group are generally illegal unless they capture an opponent's stone or group. If you're unsure when to pass, especially as a beginner, it's often recommended to continue playing until it becomes unequivocally clear that no more points can be made or taken.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity3.9 / 5
BGG rating7.7 / 10
Vibe
CouplesStrategy
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
🌐 plays without English
Play time
30–180 min
Players
2
Recommended age
8+ yrs
BGG rank
#235

from Trișache · verified

Frequently asked questions

Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective of Go is to accumulate more points than your opponent by the end of the game. Points are primarily gained by establishing and controlling territory on the board and by capturing your opponent's stones. The player with the higher total score at the end of the game wins.
Q2How do you set up the game?
Go is a two-player game where one player uses black stones and the other uses white stones. The game is traditionally played on a 19x19 grid board, though beginners often start on smaller 9x9 or 13x13 boards. Stones are placed on the intersections of the board, which include the sides and corners. Black always plays first.
Q3How does a turn work?
Players take turns placing one stone at a time on any empty intersection on the board. Black plays the first stone, and then players alternate. Stones are connected if they are adjacent along a line, forming 'groups.' These connections are horizontal or vertical, not diagonal. A stone or group's 'liberties' are the empty points adjacent to it. If a stone or group loses all its liberties, it is captured and removed from the board.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Your final score is determined by the amount of territory you control plus the number of your stones remaining on the board. Any area completely surrounded by your stones is considered your territory. White receives bonus points, known as 'Komi,' to compensate for Black's advantage of going first. Traditionally, Komi is 7.5 points, which also prevents ties.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes when both players consecutively declare a 'pass,' indicating they believe there are no more beneficial moves to make or points to gain. After both players pass, a 'stone removal phase' occurs where any stones that are completely surrounded and would eventually be captured are removed. Finally, players count their territory and remaining stones, adding White's Komi, to determine the winner.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
For beginners, it's a good habit to constantly count the liberties of your stone groups to avoid unexpected captures. A group with only one liberty is in 'Atari,' meaning it's one move away from being captured, so you should try to save it by gaining more liberties. Moves that result in zero liberties for your own stone or group are generally illegal unless they capture an opponent's stone or group. If you're unsure when to pass, especially as a beginner, it's often recommended to continue playing until it becomes unequivocally clear that no more points can be made or taken.
Q7How much does Go cost?
Go costs around 249 RON in Romania.
Q8Where can I buy Go cheapest?
The lowest price for Go right now is 249 RON at Regatul Jocurilor. The Prices tab lists every store currently tracking it.
Q9How do you play Go?
Go is a abstract strategy game, for 2 players, taking ~30–180 minutes, featuring chaining. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Go — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Go support?
Go is played by 2 players.

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