Chess vs. Go
Comparing 2 standards across 17 specifications. 17 key differences identified.
Chess is a two-player abstract strategy board game governed internationally by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). Standard laws define 64-square alternating boards (50–60 mm squares), exact piece movements, en passant capture timing (Article 3.7), castling restrictions (Article 3.8), and draw criteria including the 50-move rule and threefold repetition.
Go (Weiqi / Baduk) is an ancient two-player abstract strategy board game governed internationally by the International Go Federation (IGF). Played on a 19×19 grid (361 intersections), players place black and white stones to surround territory and capture enemy stones by removing all their 'liberties', governed by standard Komi compensation (6.5 or 7.5 points to White) and the Ko rule.
Specification Comparison Table
17 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Body
|
FIDE (World Chess Federation) | International Go Federation (IGF) |
|
Board Grid Dimensions
|
8 × 8 (64 alternating squares) | — |
|
Tournament Square Size
|
50 to 60 (2.0 to 2.36 inches) mm | — |
|
Standard King Height
|
95 (3.75 inches) mm (±5 mm tolerance) | — |
|
King Base-to-Height Ratio
|
40% to 50% of piece height | — |
|
En Passant Execution Window
|
Immediately on the next move only FIDE Art. 3.7.4.2 | — |
|
50-Move Draw Rule
|
50 consecutive moves without pawn move or capture FIDE Art. 9.3 | — |
|
Threefold Repetition
|
Same exact board position occurs 3 times FIDE Art. 9.2 | — |
|
Dead Position Rule
|
No sequence of legal moves can lead to checkmate FIDE Art. 5.2.2 (Instant Draw) | — |
|
Standard Grid Size
|
— | 19 × 19 361 intersections |
|
Beginner Grid Sizes
|
— | 9 × 9 (81 points) or 13 × 13 (169 points) |
|
Standard Grid Pitch
|
— | 22.0 mm (W) × 23.7 mm (L) non-square rectangle to correct viewing angle |
|
Total Stones in Set
|
— | 361 181 Black, 180 White |
|
Standard Stone Diameter
|
— | 21.5 to 22.0 mm |
|
Komi (Japanese Rules)
|
— | 6.5 points added to White (prevents draws) |
|
Komi (Chinese Rules)
|
— | 7.5 points added to White |
|
Suicide Rule
|
— | Prohibited (Illegal) cannot play a move with zero liberties unless capturing |