Learning Library

Learn Weiqi in a clear order.

Start with the complete beginner guide, follow the core course, then explore rules, strategy, life and death, study habits, and resources at your own pace.

Start hereThe Complete Beginner's Guide to WeiqiStart learning Weiqi with a complete beginner guide that explains the rules, roadmap, strategy, life and death, study habits, and next steps.Start learning

Beginner Course

The nine lessons every new player should learn first.

This is the linear foundation. Read these in order if the board still feels unfamiliar.

Explore by topic

Choose the right shelf for what you need next.

The library is grouped by learning intent, so you can continue without scanning one long archive.

Rules

Understand how the game works

Learn the rule details beginners meet after the core course, from board sizes and komi to scoring systems and handicap games.

Beginner LessonWhat Is Komi in Weiqi? Beginner GuideLearn what komi is in Weiqi and Go, why White receives extra points, how komi affects scoring, and why beginners do not need to worry about it too much.Beginner Lesson9x9 vs 13x13 vs 19x19 Weiqi Boards: Beginner GuideCompare 9x9, 13x13, and 19x19 Weiqi board sizes, learn which board beginners should start with, and understand when to move to larger boards.Beginner LessonChinese Rules vs Japanese Rules in WeiqiLearn the beginner-friendly difference between Chinese rules and Japanese rules in Weiqi, including area scoring, territory scoring, and online play.Beginner LessonWhat Are Handicap Games in Weiqi?Learn how handicap games work in Weiqi and Go, why handicap stones help beginners, and when players of different strengths should use them.Cornerstone GuideKo Rule Explained in Weiqi: Beginner GuideLearn how the ko rule works in Weiqi, why it prevents endless repetition, and what beginners should do when a ko appears.

Strategy

Make better beginner decisions

Move from knowing the rules to choosing useful moves: openings, initiative, territory, influence, thickness, and common mistakes.

Beginner LessonWhere Should You Play Your First Move in Weiqi?Learn where to play the first move in Weiqi, why beginners usually start near the corners, and how to understand opening principles without memorizing.Beginner LessonWhy Do Weiqi Players Start in the Corners?Learn why corners are usually played first in Weiqi, how corners, sides, and center work, and what opening principles beginners should understand.Beginner LessonWhat Are Sente and Gote in Weiqi?Learn what sente and gote mean in Weiqi and Go, how initiative works, and why beginners should choose valuable moves instead of chasing sente.Beginner LessonWhen Should You Tenuki in Weiqi?Learn what tenuki means in Weiqi and Go, when to answer locally, when to play elsewhere, and how beginners can judge urgent moves.Beginner LessonWhat Is Influence in Weiqi?Learn what influence means in Weiqi and Go, how it differs from territory, and when beginners should choose influence in real games.Beginner LessonThickness vs Territory in WeiqiLearn what thickness means in Weiqi, how thickness differs from territory and influence, and when beginners should choose secure points or future strength.Beginner Lesson10 Common Beginner Mistakes in WeiqiLearn common beginner Weiqi mistakes, why they happen, and simple tips to improve at Weiqi without feeling overwhelmed.Cornerstone Guide10 Common Beginner Weiqi Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)Learn the 10 most common beginner Weiqi mistakes and how to avoid them. Fix the habits that hold new Go and Baduk players back.

Life & Death

Keep your groups alive

Build the pattern recognition beginners need to understand eyes, weak groups, dead groups, and simple life-and-death practice.

Beginner LessonHow to Know if a Group Is Alive in WeiqiLearn how to tell if a group is alive in Weiqi, why two eyes matter, and how beginners can protect groups with simple life and death strategy.Beginner LessonWhat Is a False Eye in Weiqi?Learn what a false eye is in Weiqi and Go, how it differs from a real eye, and how beginners can avoid common life and death mistakes.Beginner LessonWhen Is a Group Dead in Weiqi?Learn what a dead group is in Weiqi and Go, how liberties and eyes affect survival, and when beginners should stop trying to save every stone.Beginner LessonHow to Save a Weak Group in WeiqiLearn how to save a weak group in Weiqi and Go, including warning signs, eyes, connections, running, sacrifice, and simple beginner strategy.Beginner LessonShould Beginners Solve Tsumego?Learn whether beginners should solve tsumego, how Go problems improve reading, and how to include tsumego in a simple Weiqi study routine.

Improvement

Study, review, and improve steadily

Use simple routines to play more thoughtfully, review your games, stay consistent, and understand what realistic progress feels like.

Beginner LessonHow to Study Weiqi Effectively as a BeginnerLearn how to study Weiqi effectively with a simple beginner study plan for playing games, reviewing, solving problems, and learning basic theory.Beginner LessonHow Often Should You Play Weiqi to Improve?Learn how often beginners should play Weiqi, how to balance games with study and review, and how to build a consistent practice routine.Beginner LessonHow to Review Your Weiqi Games and Improve FasterLearn how to review Weiqi games as a beginner, find one useful mistake after each game, and improve faster without needing AI analysis.Cornerstone GuideHow to Improve at Weiqi: 10 Practical Tips for BeginnersWant to get better at Weiqi? Discover 10 practical tips that will help beginners improve faster and enjoy the game more.Cornerstone GuideHow Long Does It Take to Learn Weiqi?Learn how long it takes to understand Weiqi, play your first game, improve as a beginner, and feel comfortable with the board.

Resources

Choose tools, references, and next steps

Find places to play, beginner-friendly apps and books, useful terminology, rankings, and comparisons with related strategy games.

Cornerstone GuideBest Places to Play Weiqi OnlineCompare OGS, KGS, GoQuest, Pandanet, Fox, Tygem, and other places to play Weiqi online, with simple recommendations for beginners.Beginner LessonBest Weiqi Apps for BeginnersCompare beginner-friendly Weiqi and Go apps for learning rules, playing 9x9 games, solving tsumego, and reviewing games.Cornerstone GuideBest Weiqi Books for BeginnersDiscover the best Weiqi books for beginners, from introductory lessons to practice problems, and choose the right books for your level.Cornerstone GuideWeiqi Terms Glossary for BeginnersLearn essential Weiqi terms including liberties, atari, eyes, ko, territory, joseki, tesuji, kyu, and dan in simple language.Cornerstone GuideWeiqi Ranking System Explained for BeginnersLearn how Weiqi ranks work, including kyu and dan levels, online rankings, professional ranks, and what your first rank means.Cornerstone GuideGo vs Weiqi vs Baduk: What’s the Difference?Confused by Go, Weiqi, and Baduk? Learn why they are the same game, where each name comes from, and which name beginners should use.Cornerstone GuideWeiqi vs Chess: What's the Difference?Compare Weiqi and chess across rules, strategy, difficulty, creativity, and learning curve. Discover which classic strategy game is right for you.