Sample Game

Diagram 1

When there are no handicap stones on the board (meaning the players are equally matched), Black moves first. The play normally begins in the corner areas, on either the third or the fourth line from the edge.

A move on the third line aims at securing the territory between the stone and the nearest edges of the board;
a move on the fourth line emphasizes influence toward the center of the board.

In this sample game, Black declares an interest in central influence by playing the first move, Black 1, on one of the 4-4 points. In contrast, White 2, on the 3-3 point, looks to control the territory in the upper left corner.

Another very common opening corner move is the 3-4 point. (The Cartesian notation locates the 1-1 point in the corner nearest the stone. Thus Black 1 is on the 4-4 point (4th line from the upper edge and 4th line from the right edge); White 2 is on the 3-3 point (3rd line from the upper edge and 3rd line from the left edge).