Despite its relatively simple rules, go is such a complex game that pros take years trying to perfect their game. No luck factor is involved, as it is not a game of chance.

Millions of people around the world play go, although the go world is basically limited to five countries--Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. There are about 500 pros, most of whom make money by teaching the game. In addition, a few hundred amateurs and semi-pros have full-time or part-time jobs teaching and writing about the game.

The best players in the world make close to $1 million a year, peanuts when compared to top athletes in other sports, but good compensation for doing what you love to do anyway.

But why do amateurs play go? Because it is challenging and stimulating to develop plans and thwart those of your opponent, because it is exciting to hunt down a group or capture a lot of stones, and, last but not least, because it is just plain fun.

The first step, Part 2

This is the second article in a series intended for novice go players. Last week, we established that the board comes in three sizes: 9x9 for beginners, 13x13 for intermediate players and 19x19, which is the official size for all players ranging from intermediate players to professionals. The rules of go are simple, but before you start playing, let's play "the capturing game."

Unlike chess, go pieces don't move around. Once they are played, they stay there--unless they are captured. Last week, we saw how a stone can be captured. Let's recapitulate.

Diagram 1: Black plays the first move. He is free to play wherever he wants. For example, Black can play at 1. This stone has four adjacent open spaces at A, B, C and D. We call these open spaces liberties. So black 1 has four liberties. White plays the next move and is free to play wherever he wants, even on the edge, as at 2. This move has only three liberties, at E, F and G. A stone can also be played at the corner intersection, as at 3, with only two liberties at H and I. However, some moves are better than others, as the explanation below will show.

Diagram 2: The marked white stone is almost completely surrounded by black stones. However, it still has one liberty at A.

Diagram 3: If it is Black's turn, he can play at 1 and take away the last liberty of the white stone. The rules say stones without liberties do not exist and have to be taken off the board immediately. In other words, it is captured.

Therefore, as soon as Black plays at 1, the marked white stone is captured.

Diagram 4: This is the position after the white stone has been removed from the board.

I recommend that beginners use a capturing game against an opponent or a go-playing computer program. The first to capture a stone wins the game.

Diagram 5: Capturing multiple stones is also possible. For example, the marked black stones are almost entirely surrounded and have only one liberty at A.

Diagram 6: If it isWhite's turn, he could play at 1 to take away Black's last liberty.

Diagram 7: This is the position after playing white 1.

Problems

Problem 1: It's Black's turn. Where should he play to capture a white stone?

Problem 2: Where should Black play to capture stones if it is his turn? Where should White play if it is his move?

Problem 3: How can Black capture stones if he plays first? If it were White's move, where should he play?

Next week, I'll provide the answers to these problems, or you can find out tomorrow at Ben's Cafe. In addition, you can also play on www.kiseido.com.

Ben's Cafe is located in Takadanobaba, Tokyo (Tel: 03-3202-2445 or www.benscafe.com), where the English-speaking go community (Japanese welcome) play the game every Sunday starting at 11 a.m. You can enjoy free lessons there until 1 p.m.

Rob van Zeijst is a four-time European champion and European representative of the Fujitsu World Championship.