New Game

Opponent level. 18 kyu is someone who has just learned the rules; 9 dan is close to professional strength. If this is your first game, start around 15–18 kyu and move up a step each time you start winning.

Board size. A 9×9 game is over in about ten minutes and the stones fight immediately, which makes it the best board for practising reading. 19×19 is the full board — the opening, the middle game and the endgame as one arc. 13×13 sits in between.

Your colour. Black plays first. Because moving first is an advantage, White starts with a 6.5 point komi; the half point means a game can never end in a draw.