The essentials
- A game normally ends after two consecutive passes.
- Safely surrounded empty intersections count as territory.
- Dead opposing groups are removed before the score is confirmed.
- White receives komi to compensate for Black moving first.
Territory is safely enclosed space
An empty intersection belongs to Black when every open route from it reaches only living black stones or the board edge. The same applies to White. Open or contested spaces belong to neither player.
On a small board, trace every possible path from an empty point. If you can reach stones of both colours, the point is neutral rather than territory.
Alive, dead, or unsettled?
A group is safely alive when the opponent can no longer capture it. Most living groups achieve this with two separate internal spaces called eyes. A dead group may still be on the board but cannot escape capture against correct play.
Before scoring, both players should agree on these groups. If they disagree, play resumes until the status becomes clear.
Good digital scoring should do more than display a number. It should show why every point belongs to Black, White, or neither.
Why White receives extra points
Black gains a small advantage by playing first. White therefore receives a fixed compensation called komi. The exact value depends on the ruleset, and the half point prevents a drawn result.
For a beginner, the principle matters more than memorising the number: komi balances the opening advantage.
A practical endgame checklist
Before passing, ask: Is any boundary still open? Can a move secure my territory? Can a group still live or be captured? Are there neutral points between both sides?
When both players answer no, the position is ready for two passes and a shared final review.
