Go
Board Games · 9 specs
Direct Answer
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.
Source: International Go Federation (IGF) Official Rules · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Body | International Go Federation (IGF) |
| 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 |
Core Rules: Liberties & Capture
Stones are played on grid intersections (not inside squares) and never move once placed:
- Liberties: The directly adjacent horizontal and vertical empty intersection points around a stone or connected group.
- Capture: When all liberties of an enemy stone or group are completely occupied by your stones, the group is captured and immediately removed from the board as prisoners.
- Suicide Ban: A player cannot place a stone on an intersection with zero liberties unless that move simultaneously captures one or more opponent stones to create an open liberty.
The Ko Rule (Infinite Loop Prevention)
The Ko ('eternity') rule states that a player cannot make a move that recreates the exact previous board position. If Black captures a single stone, White cannot immediately recapture that single stone on the very next turn. White must play elsewhere ('Ko threat'). If Black responds, White may then return and recapture the Ko.
Komi & Scoring Systems
- Komi: Because Black plays first and has an inherent first-move advantage, White receives a compensation score called Komi (6.5 points under Japanese rules, 7.5 under Chinese rules). The half-point (.5) guarantees a decisive winner by making ties impossible.
- Japanese Scoring (Territory): Score = Empty surrounded intersections + captured enemy prisoners.
- Chinese Scoring (Area): Score = Empty surrounded intersections + all living stones remaining on the board.