When you first learn Weiqi, most of the rules feel very direct.
Players take turns.
Stones stay on the board.
Groups with no liberties are captured.
Territory decides the final result.
Then you may hear a new word:
Komi.
Fortunately, komi is much simpler than it sounds.
Komi is extra points given to White at the start of the game.
These points help balance the fact that Black moves first.
Why Does Black Move First?
In Weiqi, Black always plays the first move.
This means Black gets the first chance to choose a corner, make a framework, or begin fighting.
Moving first is useful.
Even if both players are the same strength, Black has a small natural advantage because Black gets the first move.
Komi exists to balance that advantage.
Instead of changing who moves first, the game gives White a few extra points before counting begins.
What Is Komi?
Komi is a fixed number of points added to White's final score.
You do not place extra stones on the board.
White does not get extra moves.
Komi only matters when the game is scored.
For example, if the komi is 6.5 points, White adds 6.5 points to White's score at the end of the game.
This helps make the game fairer because Black had the first move.
If you are still new to the game, you can think of komi like this:
- Black gets the first move.
- White gets extra points.
- The extra points help balance the game.
How Does Komi Affect the Final Score?
Komi is added after the players count the board.
To understand this, it helps to know the basics of scoring in Weiqi.
At the end of the game, players count their territory and any other points required by the rules being used.
Then White adds komi.
The player with the higher final score wins.
A Simple Komi Example
Imagine a beginner game ends like this:
- Black has 32 points.
- White has 28 points.
- Komi is 6.5 points.
Before komi, Black is ahead by 4 points.
But after komi, White's score becomes:
28 + 6.5 = 34.5 points
Final score:
- Black: 32
- White: 34.5
White wins by 2.5 points.
This can feel surprising at first, but the idea is simple.
Komi rewards White for playing second.
Why Does Komi Often Include a Half Point?
You may notice that komi often includes a half point, such as 6.5 or 7.5.
The half point is there to prevent draws.
Because players normally score whole points from territory and stones, adding half a point means the final score usually cannot be exactly tied.
That makes the result clear:
One player wins.
The other player loses.
Beginners do not need to think deeply about why the exact number is chosen.
The important idea is that the half point prevents a drawn game.
Does Komi Always Have the Same Value?
No.
The exact value of komi can vary depending on the ruleset, server, country, or tournament.
For example, one ruleset may use 6.5 points while another may use 7.5 points.
This does not change the basic idea.
Komi is still extra points for White because Black moves first.
When you play online, the server will usually handle komi automatically.
When you play casually, you can simply agree on the value before the game begins.
Do Beginners Need to Worry About Komi?
Not very much.
When you are learning your first games, it is more important to understand:
- How stones are placed.
- How liberties work.
- How capturing works.
- How territory is formed.
- How the game is scored.
Komi matters most when the game is close.
For beginners, many games are decided by large differences in territory, captures, or unfinished groups.
So you should know what komi means, but you do not need to worry about calculating it perfectly right away.
If you can remember that White receives extra points because Black moves first, you understand the main idea.
Komi and Territory
Komi does not replace territory.
It does not mean White can ignore the board.
White still needs to surround points, protect groups, and play good moves.
If you are unsure what territory means, start with the guide to territory in Weiqi.
Komi is simply added after the board has been counted.
It is a balancing tool, not a different way to play.
Quick Recap
Before moving on, remember these key ideas:
- Black moves first in Weiqi.
- Moving first gives Black a small advantage.
- Komi is extra points given to White.
- Komi is added to White's final score.
- A half-point komi helps prevent draws.
- Exact komi values can vary by ruleset.
- Beginners should understand komi, but do not need to worry too much about it at first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is komi in Weiqi?
Komi is extra points given to White to balance the advantage Black gets from moving first.
Is komi used in Go?
Yes.
Weiqi, Go, and Baduk are different names for the same game, so komi in Go works the same basic way as komi in Weiqi.
Why does White get komi?
White receives komi because Black plays the first move.
The extra points help make the game fairer.
Does komi change during the game?
No.
Komi is fixed before the game begins and is added to White's score at the end.
Should I memorize the exact komi value?
Not at first.
Beginners only need to understand that White receives extra points because Black moves first.
Continue Learning
Now that you understand komi, the next step is to see how it fits into the whole game.
Start with scoring in Weiqi, then review territory and try to play your first game.
If you are completely new, begin with What Is Weiqi? before worrying about scoring details.