Go Strategy: 10 Tips for Beginners

Opening

1. Corners, then sides, then the centre. A corner is surrounded by two edges, so it takes the fewest stones to make territory there.
2. Third and fourth lines. Stones on the third line take territory; on the fourth line they build influence toward the centre. The first and second lines are usually too low early on.
3. Don't play too close to strong stones. Your opponent's strong group won't be captured; play where your stones can work.

Fighting

4. Count liberties. In a race to capture, the group with more liberties wins. Count before you start.
5. Connect your stones; cut theirs. Two weak groups are worse than one strong one. A cut that splits the opponent into two weak groups is often the biggest move on the board.

6. Atari isn't always good. Putting stones in atari just to do it often helps the opponent connect. Ask what the move achieves.
7. Make two eyes. A group that is running needs space to make two eyes; heading toward open areas and the side helps.

Judgement

8. Let small groups go. If a few stones are lost, don't add more stones to them. Use them as threats, and play the biggest point elsewhere.
9. Big points before small ones. Late in the game, finish the moves that are worth more first: ones that threaten something, or that both players want.
10. Pass when the borders are closed. When every boundary between your areas is sealed and no group is in danger, there's nothing left to gain. Pass.

Against the computer on kawu

The computer plays thousands of quick random games for each move and chooses what wins most often. On 9×9 it's strongest; on 19×19 it's best for practising openings and fights. Easy makes plenty of mistakes; hard will punish weak shapes. Use Hint for a suggested move, and read the rules and scoring pages if anything is unclear.

Last updated 2026-10-19