9x9 Sample Game

Copyright © Skip Ascheim 1996

On paper, the rules of go are very simple; you can learn them in a few minutes. Unfortunately, the rules by themselves don't offer the beginner much of a clue about how the game actually proceeds. Such elementary matters as where to play the first move, how to secure territory, and when to stop playing are far from obvious.

This sample game takes place on a 9x9-line board, which is the size generally used to teach beginners. An illustrative game on a full-size (19x19-line) board would bewilder most newcomers. The 9x9 board reduces the scope and complexity of the game to the point where a description can make sense to someone who has played only a few games.

The discussion assumes familiarity with:

• the rules of the game;
• the idea of liberties (or freedoms) as empty intersections orthogonally adjacent (connected by a grid line) to a stone or group of stones (a stone or group is captured when it has zero liberties);
• the condition of atari, in which a stone or group has only one liberty remaining and can therefore be captured on the next move (also used to refer to a move that produces that condition);
• the concept of territory as controlled empty intersections (you control an intersection if your opponent's play on that intersection would inevitably be captured).

The paragraphs of smaller print contain additional information or explanation not necessary to the discussion of the game and can be skipped over.