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Go is a board game for two players that is rich in strategic complexity, despite simple rules.
Players alternately place coloured stones on vacant intersections of a 19X19 line grid, with the objective of controling the larger portion of the board.

Popularity
Go is most popular in East Asia, but has gained popularity in other parts of the world in recent years. The game is also known as Igo (Japan), Weiqi (China) and Baduk (Korea).

Location
GO clubs can be found throughout the UK.

Age
"GO" can be played by players of five years of age and upwards. There is no upper age limit.
Young children may however, be better started on one of the simpler variations of the game.

Ability
There are no physical requirements involved with the playing of "GO".
There are especially at higher levels of the game, intense mental Skill requirements, including observation and concentration, and the ability to create tactics and strategy.

Description
Players take turns in placing stones on the grid, once placed a stone may not be moved. the game object is to create strings of stones that surround those of your opponent, thus capturing areas of the board. If the opponents stones within this area (larger stone) have no empty intersections (they are deemed to have lost their liberty) and are captured).
Players must not make moves that create a stalemate situation (ko rule)
Players must not make moves that restrict their own liberty (suicide).

Dedication
There are two methods of scoring "GO", Territory and Area scoring, the differences are subtle. Most countries including the United States, New Zealand, Western Europe and the UK are now most commonly using the area scoring method.
In Area Scoring the player's score is simply, the number of stones each player has on the board, plus the number of empty intersections surrounded by that player's stones.

Closely Related Activities
Pente 1023, Gomoku 982, Five in a Row 983, Ninuki-Renju 1024.

Cost
Go can be played for no cost using a pencil and paper, however a commercially made Go or Gomoku set will cost from £25 upwards.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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