Tsumego

Tsumego refers to specialized problems in Go that focus on life-and-death scenarios involving groups of stones. These puzzles challenge players to calculate precise sequences of moves that determine whether a group survives or is captured. Often isolated to a specific region of the board, tsumego exercises help players refine their tactical skills and improve their ability to foresee potential outcomes.

Tsumego can vary in difficulty, ranging from easy problems…

Tsumego covers a range of scenarios, from basic exercises suitable for beginners to highly complex problems that require advanced reading skills. Typical scenarios include creating two eyes for survival, preventing the opponent from doing so, or resolving capturing races. Mastering tsumego is an essential part of Go training, as it equips players with the ability to navigate critical positions effectively.

…to very challenging ones

The term “tsumego” originates from Japanese, where it translates to “packed Go” or “ending Go,” reflecting the tightly controlled and conclusive nature of these puzzles. 

If you’re looking to improve your tsumego skills, we have a wide variety of problems available in our Skill Tree. You can access these exercises here.

To learn more about solving tsumego properly, check out our free video. You might discover new techniques and insights to enhance your skills!