Go

About this board game

Go is a two-player board game played on a 19×19 grid, with an approximate play time of 180 minutes. Players alternate placing stones on empty intersections as they compete to control unclaimed land.

The central goal is to enclose territory behind perimeters of stones. Players also tightly surround and capture opposing stones, making every placement part of a larger struggle for space and influence.

• Place stones alternately on empty grid intersections.
• Build perimeters to claim territory.
• Surround and capture enemy stones.
• Pass when no further move is desired, then compare scores.

When both players pass, they count their territory and deduct the number of captives lost. The player with the higher score wins. Regional rule differences exist, but they seldom affect play.

Go is known by several names, including Weiqi, Igo, and Baduk. Played for thousands of years, it pairs a simple concept with a challenge capable of enriching a lifetime of play.

Expect running battles, swift reversals, bold invasions, and painful sacrifices. In Go, each sally and setback unfolds through the measured tap of stone on wood, creating a race for geographical control that can reward patience, daring, and careful attention to the evolving board.