Capturing stones is one of the most exciting moments in Weiqi.
After learning about liberties, you're now ready to see how stones are actually removed from the board.
The rule is simple:
A stone or group is captured when it has no liberties remaining.
Once all of its liberties are gone, the stones are immediately removed from the board.
Understanding this rule is the first step toward playing a real game.
How Does a Capture Work?
Imagine your opponent has placed a single stone.
At first, that stone has several liberties.
As you place stones around it, those liberties gradually disappear.
When the final liberty is occupied, the stone is captured.
It is then removed from the board, leaving those intersections empty again.
Capturing is not about jumping over stones or attacking from a distance.
It is simply the result of removing every liberty.
Future Diagram
A single stone losing liberties one by one until it is captured.
Caption: "A stone is captured when it has no liberties left."
Capturing a Single Stone
Single-stone captures are usually the first type of capture beginners learn.
Because one stone has relatively few liberties, it is easier to surround.
Practicing single-stone captures helps you understand the relationship between liberties and survival.
As you become more experienced, you'll naturally begin capturing larger groups.
Future Diagram
A single black stone completely surrounded by white stones.
Capturing a Group
The same rule applies to connected stones.
Remember that connected stones share liberties.
Instead of capturing one stone at a time, you must remove all the liberties of the entire group.
Sometimes a group of five stones can be captured just as easily as one stone if all of its shared liberties disappear.
Likewise, a large group with many liberties can be extremely difficult to capture.
This is why strong players constantly pay attention to the liberties of entire groups rather than individual stones.
Future Diagram
A connected group being surrounded and captured.
Captured Stones Are Removed
Once a stone or group has no liberties, it is immediately removed from the board.
This often surprises beginners.
Removing captured stones creates new empty intersections.
Those empty intersections become liberties for the surrounding stones.
Because of this, capturing can completely change the position of the board in a single move.
A move that seems impossible one moment may become possible immediately after a capture.
Why Capturing Isn't Always the Goal
Many beginners become obsessed with capturing stones.
It feels like winning.
But remember what you learned in the first lesson:
The goal of Weiqi is not to capture the most stones.
The goal is to control more territory.
Capturing stones is simply one way to achieve that goal.
Sometimes the strongest move is to ignore a possible capture and instead secure a larger area elsewhere.
As you gain experience, you'll discover that good players know when to fight and when to walk away.
Can You Save a Stone?
Absolutely.
If one of your stones is almost surrounded, you can often save it by creating another liberty before your opponent removes the last one.
You might:
- Extend into an empty intersection.
- Connect to a nearby friendly group.
- Capture your opponent's stones first, creating new liberties.
Finding these escape moves is one of the most enjoyable parts of Weiqi.
Future Diagram
A stone escaping by creating an extra liberty.
Capturing Changes the Whole Board
A beginner often sees capturing as a local fight.
Experienced players see something much bigger.
Capturing one small group may:
- Open territory.
- Strengthen another group.
- Weaken an opponent's position.
- Change the balance of the entire board.
Every capture has consequences beyond the immediate area.
This is another reason why Weiqi is such a deep strategy game.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Forgetting to count liberties
Many beginners think a stone should be captured before all its liberties are gone.
Always count carefully.
A stone is only captured when every liberty has been removed.
Counting each stone separately
Connected stones share liberties.
Always count the liberties of the entire group.
Chasing every capture
Capturing is exciting, but it isn't always the best move.
Sometimes defending your own position or expanding your territory is more valuable.
Forgetting captured stones are removed
Once stones are captured, remove them immediately.
The newly empty intersections become liberties for the surrounding stones.
Quick Recap
Before moving on, remember these key ideas:
- Stones are captured when they have no liberties.
- Connected stones share liberties.
- Captured stones are removed immediately.
- Removing stones creates new liberties.
- Capturing helps you control territory, but it is not the ultimate goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I capture more than one stone at once?
Yes.
If an entire connected group loses all of its liberties, every stone in that group is captured together.
Do captured stones return later?
No.
Once removed, they stay off the board for the rest of the game.
Can a large group be captured?
Yes.
The size of the group doesn't matter.
Only the number of shared liberties matters.
Should I always try to capture my opponent?
No.
Many good moves have nothing to do with capturing.
Often, building territory or strengthening your own groups is more important.
Continue Learning
Sometimes you'll reduce an opponent's group to one remaining liberty.
That situation has a special name:
In the next lesson, you'll learn why atari is one of the most important concepts in Weiqi and how to respond when one of your groups is in danger.