Guides for Go
Detailed Go guides covering scoring, rules, and common questions — companion reading for our free scorecard.
Guides for Go
- Dead Stones in Go Explained
Dead stones in Go: living vs dead groups, when to remove them, and how they affect territory and prisoners. Count correctly then use our Go score calculator.
- Go Board Sizes Explained
9x9 vs 13x13 vs 19x19 Go boards: game length, strategy, and scoring. Same counting rules on every size. Score any finished game on our free calculator.
- Go Rules for Beginners
Essential Go rules for beginners: liberties, capture, illegal moves, eyes, and passing. Enough to play your first game and score it on our free calculator.
- Handicap Stones in Go Explained
Handicap stones in Go: star-point placement, how many to give, komi in handicap games, and beginner tips. Score the game on our calculator.
- How to Count Territory in Go
Step-by-step guide to counting territory in Go: surrounded empty points, dead groups, seki, and dame. Practice then enter totals on our free score calculator.
- How to End a Go Game
When to pass in Go, how two-pass ending works, agreeing dead stones, and when to start scoring. Use our free Go score calculator after the game stops.
- How to Score Go
Learn how to score Go (Baduk, Weiqi): territory, prisoners, komi, dead stones, and Japanese, Chinese, and AGA scoring. Free online Go score calculator.
- Japanese vs Chinese Go Scoring
Japanese vs Chinese Go scoring explained: territory vs area, prisoners vs living stones, and when results differ. Compare both on our free score calculator.
- What is Komi in Go?
What is komi in Go? Why White gets 6.5 or 7.5 points, half-point komi, tournament values, and handicap adjustments. Free komi calculator included.
- Territory vs Area Scoring in Go
Territory scoring vs area scoring in Go: what each means, why winners usually agree, and when counts differ. Compare Japanese and Chinese on our calculator.