Variations
What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Board | 9 × 9 lines |
| Board size on this page | about 19 cm square |
| Margins | 1/2″ |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
Go on paper
Go is played on the intersections of the lines, not in the squares, with black and white stones. The full game uses a 19 × 19 grid, but the 9 × 9 and 13 × 13 boards are standard for learning and quick games. Printing a board lets you start playing with buttons or coins before buying a set.
Starting on 9 × 9
On a Letter page, the 9 × 9 lines are about 22 mm apart, close to the spacing of a real board, so it feels right with proper stones. The small board keeps games short, and the five star points mark useful opening spots.
The rules in brief
- Players take turns placing one stone on an empty intersection.
- A stone or group with no empty neighbouring points (liberties) is captured.
- You may not repeat the previous board position (the ko rule).
- At the end, the player surrounding more territory, plus captures, wins.
Diagrams and study
Print a stack of 19 × 19 boards for recording professional games or your own, or for writing out life-and-death problems. For freeform diagrams, 1 cm graph paper is a handy substitute.
Printing
Print at 100% / Actual size. The board has a light wood-tone background, which also reads clearly when printed in black and white.
More chess & go boards sheets
Frequently asked questions
Can I use real Go stones?
On the 9 × 9 board, yes: the lines are about 22 mm apart on Letter, close to a real board, so standard 22 mm stones fit. On 13 × 13 and 19 × 19 the lines are closer together, so use smaller stones, counters or buttons.
Which board should beginners use?
9 × 9. Games are short (10 to 20 minutes) and the basic ideas of capturing and territory are easy to see. Move to 13 × 13 and then 19 × 19 as you improve.
What are the dots on the board?
Star points (hoshi). They help you find your place and mark where handicap stones go. The 19 × 19 board has nine, the smaller boards five.
Is a 19 × 19 printout useful?
Yes, for recording games, drawing problem diagrams and playing with small stones. Print on Tabloid or A3 for a larger board.
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