Black always plays the first ...

By Rob Van Zeijst

Black always plays the first move in go, which gives him a huge advantage over White. To make up for this, White is normally given komi, or compensation, of 6.5 points. The komi system was officially introduced in the early 20th century, when White received komi of four or five points depending on the tournament. Until around 1965, the most popular komi was 4.5 points, the half point being to make draws impossible. Around the mid-1950s, a komi of 5.5 points was introduced and by the mid-'60s had become the most widely used. The 6.5-komi was brought into play in the mid-'90s, but there are some tournaments with a komi of 7.5. There is at least one tournament where players bid up the komi to win the right to play the black stones. For more information, visit http://senseis.xmp.net/?HistoryOfKomi

Opening game

The changes in komi have greatly affected strategy, especially by Black. Shusaku Kuwahara (1829-1862) is generally recognized to be the first person to take a systematic approach to the opening. Let us have a look at this approach.

Diagram 1: Last week, we learned that it was easier to make territory in the corners as fewer moves are needed to enclose territory than along the sides and in the center. In Shusaku's days, the 3-4 point--e.g. black 1--was the most popular move by far. If White wanted to prevent Black from enclosing the entire corner with a move at 2, his most common response was to play there himself.

Diagram 2: After white 2, Black frequently pincers with, for example, a move at 3, or A through E. White's response would be to jump out into the center with 4. This strengthens White's stone at 2, but it also induces black 5, a move that makes territory.

Diagram 3: In this opening, Black makes a shimari (corner enclosure) with 5. To prevent Black from making a second shimari, White usually plays a move around 6. Next, Black plays a pincer around 7--A through E are good alternatives. This pincer has the same purpose as black 3 in Diagram 2. On top of that, it is a great extension from the shimari at top right. This is an ideal development for Black.

Diagram 4: To prevent the situation in Diagram 3, White can approach immediately with 4. However, after black 5, the same formation has formed at the lower side. Therefore, White must play at 6 to prevent Black from making a shimari here. Shusaku is credited with the kosumi (diagonal move) of 7 in this situation. Besides preventing a white move at that spot, black 7 sets up a follow-up move at A, B or C. White usually responds with a move around D or ignores black 7 to stop the next shimari at E.

Diagram 5: However, after the introduction of komi, the popularity of the Shusaku kosumi waned, because it seemed a little slow. A modern adaptation might be a pincer at 7. If White plays 8 and 10, black 11 is joseki. After white 12, Black would probably play at A, followed by white B, black C, white D and black E. However, White then would play around F to negate the thickness of Black's position in the top right. Therefore, Black might play 13 to pincer 6 and start a battle in this area. Black really should play the sequence starting with A later. Of course, White can prevent that by playing at A himself. But then 6 would come under strong attack.

Points to keep in mind

In go, we use the term fuseki, which means opening. Basically, in the beginning, you divide the board up between yourself and your opponent. Of course, the object is to control more than half the board. Don't worry about being invaded by your opponent, because it gives you an opportunity to attack the invader and turn your stake into actual territory. We will discuss this in more detail in the next few weeks.

Diagram 6: To understand the concepts of attack better, have a look at these formations. Black's marked stones make a two-space extension, while White's marked stones form a three-space extension. Black's extension is steady and cannot be invaded easily, while White's stones are prone to a strong invasion.

Van Zeijst is a four-time European go champion and European representative at the Fujitsu World Championship.