Let's look at three numbers first
"How many lines" indicates how many horizontal and vertical lines there are on the board. The 9-line board has 81 intersections, 15 has 225, and 19 has 361.
| Chessboard | Intersection | Match rhythm | What is it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 9 | 81 | Relatively fast | liberties, capture, connect, local life and death |
| Route 15 | 225 | Moderate | Transition from local battles to global layouts |
| Route 19 | 361 | Relatively long | Complete layout, direction selection, and overall trade-offs |
Route 9: First, get familiar with the basic rules
The 9-row chessboard space is small, so both sides make contact quickly, and each game takes less time. Beginners can repeatedly practice basic questions like "Does the piece have liberties?", "Will one piece be moved?", "How do two pieces connect?" Because battles start early, it's easier to see the outcome of each move.
If it's your first time using Go, or if you only have a few minutes, prioritize route 9.
Route 15: From local to whole
Lane 15 is a transitional board provided by this site. It offers more layout space than Lane 9, and unlike Lane 19, it doesn't require a lot of global selection. If you can play Lane 9 independently but aren't used to a big board, you can first use Lane 15 to practice corner layouts and trade-offs between different battlefields.
Route 19: Experience the complete Go layout
Lane 19 is a common complete Go board. As the board grows, capturing a few pieces locally doesn't necessarily mean overall advantage; you need to consider the value of corners, edges, and the center side. The game lasts longer and tests your direction and finishing the game more effectively.
is already familiar with capture, entry points, simple KO, and endgame area scoring. Choosing lane 19 makes it easier to understand the purpose of each step.
Which rules of the three types of boards remain unchanged?
- Black always plays first, with pieces landing at intersections.
- Whole pieces without liberties will be taken away; invalid self-play moves are prohibited.
- Immediate reverting to the previous situation's simple KO is prohibited.
- After both sides pass consecutively, the game ends. This site calculates using the Chinese area scoring method, with White sticking 6.5 stones.
- Set the board size and computer difficulty separately; Upgrading to a larger board does not automatically increase difficulty.
Simple choice: Beginners choose lane 9, after getting familiar with the rules, pick lane 15, and if you want a complete layout, choose lane 19.