Order of placement of handicap stones

    Keywords: Opening

The following diagram shows the alphabetical order in which to place the handicap stones, in case there are 9. The procedure is considered to be a customary formal courtesy (see Go Etiquette) and is not generally practiced. It is derived from the more commonly practiced courtesy of playing the first move in the upper right corner. The three rules to remember, in order of precedence are:

  1. Symmetry first
  2. Right before left
  3. Away before close

The order of the last two rules is important - c should not be at d and g - 'h should not come before e - f''.

[Diagram]

Handicap placement



This order for placing the handicap stones is also described in the book of Iwamoto: Go for Beginners.


This is a copy of the living page "Order of placement of handicap stones" at Sensei's Library.
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