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Play Go Online Against a Computer
Play Go — also known as Baduk or Weiqi — right in your browser against our computer opponent. Pick a board size (9×9 for a quick game, 13×13 to stretch out, 19×19 for the full experience), choose a difficulty that suits you, take Black or White, use Nigiri for a random color, or set a handicap to even things out.
The first difficulty levels are open to everyone — no account needed, just click and place a stone. Stronger opponents run on Energy, which comes free with a Go Magic account and refills daily.
New to Go? Begin with Atari Go, the capture game — same board, one simple goal, and you’ll pick it up in a minute. Then move on to the full rules and come back here for your first real game.
Looking for human opponents? You won’t find them on this page, but our guide to online Go servers covers where to play.
- Play a full game of Go against a computer opponent or use an open Free Play board.
- Select one of 35 bot levels, from the beginner end of the scale to MAX.
- Choose Black, White or Nigiri, and optionally make the bot play through to counting.
- Use One-Color Go as a memory drill in which all stones look alike.
- Choose vs Bot. Log in or create a free account when prompted.
- Set the bot level. Lower levels respond faster and are the natural starting point for new players.
- Choose your color: Black, White or Nigiri. Nigiri lets the tool decide the color.
- Select a 9×9, 13×13 or 19×19 board and add a handicap if you want to balance the game.
- Turn on Bot Never Resigns if you want the game to continue to the counting stage. Turn on One-Color Go only when you want an extra memory challenge.
- Press Play. The setup screen uses area scoring and displays the current komi beside the handicap control.
9×9 is the best place for a short first game. The smaller board brings stones into contact quickly, so captures, group safety and the end of the game are easier to see.
13×13 adds more room for direction of play while keeping the game shorter and more readable than 19×19.
19×19 is the standard full-size board. Choose it when you are comfortable tracking several areas and weak groups at the same time.
- Bot level. Choose among 35 settings. The setup screen shows the estimated strength, response time and current Energy or coin cost before the game starts.
- Color. Play as Black or White, or use Nigiri for a randomized choice.
- Board and handicap. Choose one of three common board sizes and adjust the handicap to make the game more balanced.
- Bot Never Resigns. The computer continues until the game reaches counting instead of ending by resignation.
- One-Color Go. Both colors are displayed alike, so you must remember which stones belong to each player.
Free Play removes the computer opponent and opens a board that you can use without logging in. It is useful for playing both sides, testing a sequence, reviewing a position with another person or using the board for an over-the-board game. Choose the board size and handicap, then press Play.
If captures and liberties are still unfamiliar, begin with Atari Go. Next, use Survival Go to practise making two eyes and attacking a group. Then return here for a full game against the computer. If you have not learned the rules yet, start with the interactive Go rules guide.
Use the game to notice one concrete weakness: missed captures, unsafe groups, poor direction of play or trouble counting. Then practise that skill in the Go problems Skill Tree. Computer games are useful for low-pressure repetition, but they do not replace playing people. When you are ready, compare online Go servers and choose a place to play human opponents.