Here is a selection of Go terms. You don’t need them to play, but you will hear them often.
The basics
- Liberty – an empty point directly next to a stone. No liberties left = captured.
- Atari – a stone or group with only one liberty left. It can be captured with the next move.
- Eye – an empty point surrounded by your own stones. A group with two separate eyes can never be captured.
- Ko – a position where both sides could capture back and forth forever. That’s why you must play somewhere else first.
- Seki – „mutual life“: two groups share liberties and neither can attack without dying itself. Both stay on the board.
- Komi – extra points for White, because Black moves first. We use 6.5.
On the board
- Hoshi – the marked star points. Tengen is the one in the very centre.
- Shicho (ladder) – a chase across the board in a staircase pattern.
- Geta (net) – a loose net from which the stones can’t escape.
- Moyo – a large framework: an area that could become territory, but isn’t secure yet.
Strategy
- Sente – a move your opponent should answer right away: you keep the initiative.
- Gote – the opposite of sente. Your opponent doesn’t have to respond to it.
- Fuseki – the opening of the whole board.
- Joseki – well-known move sequences in a corner that are fair for both sides.
- Tesuji – a clever, often surprising move in a local fight.
- Miai – two equally good options: if your opponent takes one, you take the other.
- Aji – „aftertaste“: hidden potential in a position that can still be used later.
Ranks & games
- Kyu & Dan – playing strength. Beginners start at 30 kyu and climb the ranks until they reach 1 kyu. After that, the dan ranks (masters) begin.
- Handicap – the weaker player takes Black and starts with extra stones on the board, so the game is even.