Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Learn the fuseki
Step 2:
Learn to make groups
Step 3:
Learn to capture
Step 4:
Avoiding the ladder
Step 5:
Avoiding suicide
Step 6:
Using eyes
Step 7:
The ko rule
Step 8:
Ending and scoring the game

2torial #0589:
Learn2 Play Go

Learn the fuseki

Before getting into moves and strategies, you should know the basics of the fuseki, or the opening phase of the game.

• Fuseki starts with an empty board.
  
• Usually, the player who's familiar with go, or who is presumed to win, uses the white stones. The weaker player uses the black stones and plays first as a handicap.
• Depending on the experience gap, you can use other handicaps. One is handicap stones, in which black stones (from the weaker player) are placed in a symmetrical pattern over the center of the board before the start of the game. The number is usually three for the 9-line board, and no more than nine for the 19-line board.
• Another handicap is called komi, which usually occurs if the players are equal. In this case, white is compensated for going second with five and a half extra points at the end of the game.
• Before anyone makes a move, learn the proper stone-holding etiquette. Place the stone between your index and middle fingers and snap it onto the board. Ancient tales claim this will bring you luck, and the game is tough enough already without messing with history!

Once the game begins, players take alternate turns, each placing one stone at a time. Stones are set on the intersections of board lines, not within the squares, like in checkers. All intersections, including the edges and four corner points, are playable. And, unlike checkers and chess, stones can't be moved once they're put down. They can, however, be "captured." Capturing--blocking all of the lines around an opponent's stones--is one of your two basic strategies. The other is to situate your own stones to gain and block off territory.

Step 2