Simple rules, endless depth
Go is more than 2,500 years old and one of the deepest board games in the world – yet its rules fit in four sentences. Two players place black and white stones on the intersections. Stones that are completely surrounded are captured. At the end, whoever controls more of the board wins.
Beginners start on a small 9×9 board, where a game takes 10–15 minutes and fights are easy to see. Play against the computer – it uses Monte Carlo search and plays like a friendly club beginner on the easier levels – or with a friend on one device. When both players pass, the board is scored automatically: dead stones are suggested and you can tap groups to correct them.
How to use
- Choose an opponent, level and board size.
- Tap an intersection to place a stone. Black starts.
- Capture by taking away the last liberty of a group; protect your own groups.
- When nothing is left to win, press Pass. Two passes end the game.
Ideas for using it
- First game. 9×9 against the beginner level, playing Black.
- Learn captures. watch how stones with one liberty (atari) can be taken.
- Teach a friend. two players on one tablet, the rules box open.
- Next step. 13×13 for bigger battles.