Go is played on square boards of 9×9, 13×13, or 19×19 lines (intersections). The rules and scoring methods are the same on every size — only game length and strategy depth change.
After any game, use the Go score calculator to total territory, prisoners or living stones, and komi.
9×9 — best for beginners
- Game length: Often 10–20 minutes
- Focus: Life and death, capturing, basic territory
- Handicap: 2–4 stones common between unequal players
- Ideal for: First games, children, quick online matches
Learn the rules on 9×9 with Go Rules for Beginners, then score on the calculator.
13×13 — the middle step
- Game length: About 30–45 minutes
- Focus: Corners, sides, center; fuller strategy than 9×9
- Handicap: Useful but fewer stones than on 19×19
- Ideal for: Players moving up from small boards
19×19 — full game
- Game length: 30 minutes to several hours
- Focus: Whole-board strategy, openings (fuseki), deep fights
- Handicap: Standard for rank-difference games — see Handicap Stones
- Ideal for: Club play, tournaments, serious study
Does scoring change by board size?
No. Territory, prisoners, living stones, and komi work identically. A 9×9 might finish with totals like Black 25, White 22 + komi — enter them the same way as a 19×19 game.
Suggested learning path
- 9×9 — rules, capture, two eyes
- 13×13 — bigger fights and territory
- 19×19 — even or handicap games with proper komi
Komi on smaller boards
Many teachers use 6.5 or 7.5 komi on 9×9 and 13×13, but house rules vary. Handicap games often use zero komi. Agree before you play — then set komi on the calculator.
Related guides
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