BSCH: Year 3 HGP Project Semester 1 2022/2023
3. Explanation of the Game
Go ("encircling game") is an abstract strategy board game for two players, in which the aim is to
surround more territory than the opponent.
The game was invented in China over 3,000 years ago, and is therefore believed to be the oldest
board game continuously played today. It was considered one of the four essential arts of the
cultured aristocratic Chinese scholars in antiquity. Despite its relatively simple rules, Go is very
complex, even more so than chess.
Computers have only recently been capable of beating human masters. Have a look at the
following for more details: https://deepmind.com/research/alphago/
3.1 Initial Board Layout
We will use a 7x7 board to ensure quick game play and reduced complexity. Go is commonly
played on a 13x13 and 19x19 grid. Black goes first. Stones are placed on the grid intersections.
3.2 Movement
Black plays first, with black and white taking turns. A stone can be placed at any unoccupied
intersection of the board with limited exceptions.
1. Suicide Rule:
You cannot place a stone which will immediately have no liberties.
2. KO Rule (Eternity Rule):
Previous game states are not allowed. Keep a list of previous game states which must be
checked before stones are placed https://youtu.be/JWdgqV-8yVg?t=7m35s
3.3 Determining a Winner
When a player thinks their territories are all safe, and they cannot gain any more territory, reduce
their opponent's territory or capture more strings, instead of playing a stone on the board they
pass and hand a stone to your opponent as a prisoner. Two consecutive passes terminates the
game.
3.3.1 Awarding of Points
• stones captured
• territory controlled by a colour
3.3.2 Additional Rules and Information
• A detailed set of rules is available here https://www.britgo.org/intro/intro2.html
• A cartoon tutorial is available at https://www.britgo.org/cartoons/index.html
• A well-structured version of the rules is available here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_Go
• An extensive list of GO terms available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Go_terms
You are not required to know these to complete the project, but they will expand your
awareness of the game.
• There is a lot of additional information on Go some of it code related at
https://senseis.xmp.net/
3.3.3 Interesting Situations
• Seki (Impasse): A board position may arise where a play can capture opponents’ piece,
but the opponent can immediately recapture a string of pieces. Whoever goes first loses.
https://youtu.be/JWdgqV-8yVg?t=11m12s
• Having eyes is a strong position
3.3.4 Handicaps
• You may implement this as an advanced task, but you will need to do more research.
Typically, white gets 7.5 points for going 2nd. The .5 point is to avoid a tie.
