Handicaps in Go
A handicap is Go's elegant way to make an uneven game fair: the weaker player places several stones on the board before play begins, so a beginner and an expert can still have a real, close contest. The number of stones matches the gap in strength between the two players.
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How a handicap works
In a handicap game the weaker player takes Black and, instead of the game starting empty, places a set number of stones on marked points first. White then makes the first move into that head start. Because Black begins with extra stones already surrounding territory, a much stronger White has to play sharply to catch up.
Handicap stones traditionally go on the star points (the small marked dots, called hoshi) in a fixed order, spreading Black's advantage evenly across the board rather than piling it in one place.
How many stones?
The rule of thumb is one handicap stone for each rank of difference between the players. Two ranks apart is a two-stone handicap, five ranks apart is five stones, and so on, commonly ranging from two up to nine stones on a full 19×19 board.
Because Black's stones already provide an advantage, handicap games usually use no komi (the bonus White normally gets for playing second), or a small reverse komi, so the handicap does the balancing on its own.
Why handicaps make Go special
Handicaps let a beginner and a master sit down to a genuine game where both are trying their best and the result is in doubt — something most games cannot offer. It is also a superb teaching tool: you learn fastest by playing someone stronger while still having a fighting chance.
On GoingBoard you get a similar benefit a different way: instead of setting manual handicap stones, you pick how strong the computer plays, so every game meets you at a comfortable level.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a handicap in Go?
- A handicap is a set of stones the weaker player places before the game starts, evening out a difference in strength so the match stays fair and competitive.
- How many handicap stones should I take?
- About one stone per rank of difference between the players — commonly two to nine stones on a 19×19 board.
- Do you use komi in a handicap game?
- Usually not. Handicap games typically drop komi (or use a small reverse komi) because the handicap stones already balance the game.
- Where do handicap stones go?
- On the star points (hoshi) — the marked intersections — in a fixed order, so Black's advantage is spread evenly across the board.
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