第2课：落子 | Lesson 2: Placing Stones

Black and White Stones

Go is a two-player game. One player takes Black and the other takes White. Unlike chess with its many different piece types, Go stones are distinguished only by color -- all black stones are identical, and all white stones are identical. This extreme simplicity is what gives Go its profound depth and beauty.

On a physical board, Go stones are lenticular (convex on both sides) and traditionally made from shell (white) and slate (black). In Cute Go, you simply click or tap to place your stone.

Black Plays First

One of the fundamental rules of Go is that Black always moves first. This tradition has been maintained for thousands of years.

Why does Black go first? It is largely a matter of history and tradition. In ancient China, black represented yin and was associated with going first, while white represented yang and went second. Because the first player has a slight advantage -- being able to claim favorable positions on the board first -- in formal games, White receives bonus points as compensation. This is called "komi."

Taking Turns

After Black plays the first stone, White responds, then Black again, and so on -- the two players alternate throughout the game until it ends. On each turn, you have two options:

• Place a stone: Put one stone on any empty intersection on the board.
• Pass: Give up your turn and let the opponent play. You may pass when you feel there are no beneficial moves left.

Stones Do Not Move Once Placed

This is one of the biggest differences between Go and games like chess. In Go, once a stone is placed on the board, it can never be moved. You cannot slide it to a different position. A stone either stays where it was placed for the rest of the game, or it gets captured by the opponent and removed from the board entirely -- there is no third option.

This means every single move matters enormously. You cannot "try it here and move it later if it does not work out." This principle is captured in the traditional saying: once a stone is placed, there is no regret. Each move is permanent and irreversible.

Because stones cannot move, you must think carefully before placing each one. Every stone's position influences the entire flow of the game. This is why Go is sometimes called "hand talk" -- each move expresses your intention and strategy, like a silent conversation with your opponent.

How to Think About Your First Moves

Beginners facing an empty board often feel lost -- where should the first stone go? Here is some practical guidance:

Opening Tips for the 5x5 Board

The diagram above shows a typical opening position on a 5x5 board. Both players have chosen positions near the corners but not on the corners themselves -- these positions have plenty of liberties (breathing room) while projecting influence toward both the corner and the sides. This is generally a strong approach.

• Avoid the first and last lines (the edge): Stones on the very outer ring have fewer liberties and are easier to attack.
• Consider the second line (one step in from the edge): Positions slightly away from the edge give stones more safety and room to develop.
• The center is also a good choice: On a 5x5 board, the center point (tengen) is a powerful opening move because it has 4 liberties and radiates influence in all four directions.

Fundamental Opening Principles

Regardless of board size, the basic principles of Go openings are universal:

1. Corners first: Corners require the fewest stones to surround territory because two edges serve as natural walls.
2. Then the sides: Side areas have one natural wall, making them the next most efficient places to build territory.
3. Center last: The center is the most open but requires the most stones to stake a claim.

This "corners, sides, center" principle is especially important on the 19x19 board. On the 5x5 board, the limited space means fights break out quickly, but these fundamentals still apply in spirit.