Handicap
A stronger player can give up to nine stones at the start of a game to level the odds. This is called a handicap, and it is the normal way to play Go between people of different strengths.
How it works
- Black is always the stronger player in a handicap game, and pre-places stones at the start.
- The stones go on the standard star points: the four corners first, then the side midpoints, then the centre. They are never clustered together.
- With a handicap, White moves first — Black has already "played" their opening stones.
- In an even game (no handicap), Black moves first and White gets 7.5 komi. With a handicap, the komi is usually dropped, since the extra stones already balance the game.
The standard placements
Two stones
Two corner points. A small edge for the stronger player — enough for beginners.
Four stones
All four corners. The classic beginner handicap.
Six stones
Four corners plus two side points.
Nine stones
Four corners, four side points, and the centre. The full handicap board — two players of very different strength.
Try it
Open the Go page in Pass & Play mode and pick a handicap from the row under the board. The stones are placed instantly and the score is still counted under Chinese rules.