Go

About Go

Go on a nine by nine field against the Hermit is the oldest board in the world: lay stones at the crossings, surround to capture, and wall off more of the empty ground than he does. Play solo, or take a seat at a live, rated table. Free in your browser, no ads, no sign-up.

How to play

You are Black and play first. Stones sit on the crossings, and a group lives by its liberties, the empty points touching it; take a group’s last liberty and you lift it from the board. A stone with no liberty is forbidden unless it captures, and you may not repeat the board. Two passes end the game, and the larger area plus komi wins.

Controls

• Tap or click a crossingPlace a stone
• PassWhen nothing gainful remains

Tips

Take the corners first, then the sides, then the center; they are cheapest to enclose. Make two separate eyes to live, and never fill your own last liberties.