The Basics of Go

So, after you've read the Go Rules - where do you go from there? You play few games, lose them all without knowing why, and give up the game? No no no - a real Go player does not tolerate such attitudes! You have to go on, through thick and thin, learning some basic secrets and fundamental strategies - they will allow you to understand more of the game and even win occasionally. Maybe...

This page is divided into chapters dealing with specific ideas of the game. Read them in sequence, or jump around as you please - whatever you find more enjoyable and beneficial. And above all - have fun!

Directory

Chapter-01: Some Basic Concepts of Go

• Page-0101 — Some thoughts about surrounding
• Page-0102 — The concepts of sente and gote
• Page-0103 — What is "shape"?

Chapter-02: About Connecting Stones

• Page-0201 — Connected and cut stones
• Page-0202 — Basic methods of connecting stones
• Page-0203 — Hanging connections and peeps

Chapter-03: About Killing Stones

• Page-0301 — Some basic concepts - liberty, atari, and group
• Page-0302 — Some simple killing techniques on 1st and 2nd line
• Page-0303 — Common killing tesujis - shicho, geta, and snapback

Chapter-04: About Life and Death of Groups

• Page-0401 — The basics of life and death - the concept of eyes
• Page-0402 — Some more about life and death - the meaning of miai

Chapter-05: About Starting a Game

• Page-0501 — The CSM principle - how to start a game and why?
• Page-0502 — Some standard corner moves
• Page-0503 — Extensions along the side
• Page-0504 — More about extensions

The above is nothing out of the ordinary, it will not make you a strong player. But it might help you overcome the first hurdle - the one when you stare at the board and have absolutely no clue. So read on, and I hope you'll get your money's worth, so to say.