Go / Weiqi - Rules, History & Strategy Guide

Go is one of the oldest continuously played board games in the world and is deeply tied to East Asian strategic culture. Its rules are famously small, but the strategic landscape they create is immense.

What keeps Go unique is how naturally local fights connect to global balance. Every stone can be both a tactical move and a statement about long-term territory.

Players alternate placing stones on intersections to surround territory and capture opposing groups that run out of liberties.

1. Place one stone on an empty intersection on your turn.
2. Connected stones form groups that share liberties.
3. If an opposing group loses all liberties, it is captured and removed.
4. Players may pass when they believe the major fights are settled.
5. Score is based on territory plus captures according to the rule set in use.

• Think in terms of influence and shape, not just immediate captures.
• Do not start too many weak groups at once.
• A solid connection is often better than a flashy cut that cannot be supported.
• Global balance matters: a profitable local move can still be wrong if another area is urgent.

Board size, handicap stones, and the differences between Japanese and Chinese scoring all affect the feel of the game. Smaller boards are excellent training tools because they make fight timing easier to grasp.