Nineteen-by-nineteen can wait. Nine-by-nine still uses real Go rules — liberties, capture, ko — but a game can finish before your tea cools. That’s why batch one defaults here. The board size is locked to 9×9 on this page.
When to use this board
Learning. Commuting. Showing someone their first capture. You bounce off 19×19 walls of empty space.
When not to
You specifically want a long 19×19 struggle today → switch size on the main play page. You need the rule story → how-to / rules.
How
- 01Confirm the board reads 9×9 — the size strip is locked and highlighted here.
- 02Place stones; capture when you can. Corners first, then the side star points — space is tight.
- 03Pass when the position feels settled, or hit New game and try again.
Gotchas
- Small board ≠ “toy rules.” Captures still count.
- Opening patterns from 19×19 books won’t paste cleanly; don’t force joseki here.
- Widening to 13×13 / 19×19 later doesn’t magically upgrade the AI to a touring pro.
- The 9×9 star points are not the 19×19 ones — the centre point is a hoshi here.
FAQ
- Is 9×9 “real Go”?
- Yes. Same ideas, smaller map.
- Can I switch to 19×19?
- On the main play page when the control is there; treat big-board strength as a later chapter.
- Is this easier for beginners?
- Usually, because games end and you see capture happen.
- Where are the full rules?
- Go rules and how to play.