What Is Komi in Go?
Komi is a fixed number of points added to White's score to make up for the fact that Black moves first. Because the first move is a real advantage, komi keeps the game fair. GoingBoard uses 7.5 komi by default, and the half-point guarantees there are no ties.
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Why komi exists
Black plays the first stone, which is worth something — Black gets to take the first big point. Over a whole game that head start adds up. Komi compensates White with a set number of points so that equally skilled players have an equal chance regardless of color.
Why 7.5?
Modern study, including analysis by strong AI, suggests the first-move advantage on a 19×19 board is worth roughly 7 points, so common komi values are 6.5 and 7.5 depending on the ruleset. GoingBoard uses 7.5. The “.5” is deliberate: a half-point can never be split, so the game can never end in a draw.
Komi on smaller boards
On 9×9 and 13×13 the first-move advantage is different, and komi values vary between rulesets and servers. For a consistent, beginner-friendly experience GoingBoard applies 7.5 komi across board sizes; what matters most while learning is simply that White receives a bonus to balance Black moving first.
Frequently asked questions
- Who gets komi, Black or White?
- White. Komi is added to White's score because Black has the advantage of playing first.
- Why is komi a half-number like 7.5?
- The half-point makes ties impossible — the two scores can never be exactly equal.
- Can komi change the winner?
- Yes. Close games are often decided by komi: Black must build a lead larger than the komi to win.
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