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French Handicap
    Keywords: Rules

The French handicap means unrestricted placement of the handicap stones. It is commonly called "free handicaps". Most players, even French players, do not play this way but place their handicap stones at the standard fixed hoshi (star-points).

AGA rules, Ing rules and New Zealand rules allow free placement of handicap stones. The KGS implementation of Chinese rules allows free handicaps.

Advantages

  • Refreshing
  • Other joseki
  • Extra challenge for White
  • Black makes a plan at move 0

Drawback

The usual placement of the handicap stones, on the hoshi points, drives the Black player to the concept of thickness and influence. This concept is less instinctive than the concept of territory. Free placement allows Black to stick with territorial thinking, but he can also make an even more influence-oriented placement, like a diamond in the center, or two Great Walls.

[Diagram]
Example of an eight-stone handicap game with free placement

Black makes four shimaris.



Actually, as far as I know, the 'French handicap' is because the FFG uses (at least partially) Ing rules. However, the average French player doesn't know about it and still places his stones on the hoshi points.

Correction : the French Federation rules are the same as AGA rules, not Ing rules.


I thought French handicap did indeed involve free placement of the handicap stones, but you had to toss them on the goban and place them where they landed. This may be just another Belgian legend though... --Stefan


Ah ah! I knew that one, Stefan! But: as far as I know the free placement of handicap stones was called in my heyday the "Chinese" handicap! How come it has now become the French one??!? --Flux


I'm french, and when I learn the rules, I was told I could place my handicap stones where I would like to. But I never dare to do it during a tournement :) --Thorn



This is a copy of the living page "French Handicap" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2004 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.