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Rules for a Vintage Board Peg Game Called Go

Go is a very old board game that originated in China. It is played with black and white stones on a square board that is divided into 18 squares in each direction. Unlike many Western board games, the pieces are played not inside the squares, but on the intersections of the lines. Thus, there are 19 points in each direction on the board, making a total of 361 points where stones may be played.

Beginning and Ending
- Go is begun with an empty board. Black plays first by placing a single stone on one of the points. White then does the same, and the two sides alternate until all territory has been claimed, an event that signals the end of the game. When the game is over, each player tallies up how many points he has based on either the points that are covered by his stones, or points that are controlled by being surrounded. Each player receives one point for each point on the board that is either covered by a stone or in controlled territory. The side with the most points wins.
Object of the Game
- The object of Go is to control as much territory on the board as possible, while your opponent attempts to do the same. This is done by placing your stones on points and trying to surround territory with your stones. The very simple rules of Go lead to millions of potential game variations; it takes ten minutes to learn, but can rarely be mastered in a lifetime.
Capturing Stones
- One of the basic elements of Go is the capturing of your opponent's stones. When you are able to surround either a single stone or a group of stones by placing your stones on all the points that are vertically or horizontally connected to them, you capture those stones and remove them from the board. The territory that they occupied is now your territory. Go stones are not moved on the board during the game. Once a stone is placed on a point, it remains there until the end of the game, unless it is captured and removed.
Strategy
- Many intricate and complex strategies have developed over the centuries. A central idea in Go is the "liberties" of a stone or group, referring to how many free points surround it. A single stone with no stones around it has four liberties. By creating groups out of stones, you increase the liberties surrounding the group, thus increasing your options and making it more difficult for your opponent to surround you and take your stones. A group of six stones in a straight line with no stones around it has 14 liberties, a group of 9 stones in a square has 12 liberties, etc. Corners and edges also play an important role in strategy, as they are easier to defend, but also easier to be captured in.

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