Place stones, claim territory — 4000 years of pure strategy
Who it's for
Abstract strategy purists who want the deepest two-player experience possible. Endlessly rewarding at any skill level.
Not for you if…
Not for players who need theme, narrative, or variety between sessions. Can feel impenetrable without a patient teacher.
Vibe's take
Profound, meditative, elegant, bottomless
The oldest strategy game still widely played. Two players place black and white stones on a grid, surrounding territory and capturing opponent stones. Rules take minutes to learn; mastery takes a lifetime. No randomness, no hidden information — pure skill.
Get it
from €14
Players
Duration
30–180 min
Ages 8+
Complexity
3.9 / 5 — HeavyBGG Rating
7.3/10
Rank #234
18k ratings
Designed by
(Uncredited)
Published by
Mitra, ZTS Plastyk, Hobby, Hebsacker Verlag, Hartung-Spiele, Cayro, The Games, Fratelli Fabbri Editori (Fabbri Editore), Gamma Two Games, Woodstock Spiele, 3M, Carl Weible KG, Dynamic Games / Dynamic Design Industries, Korea Boardgames, U3, Copp Clark Publishing Company, Play All Day Games, CHH Games, Hausser, Carlton Books, Monkey Pod Games, Creative Crafthouse, Skor-Mor, L'Impensé Radical, John N. Hansen Co., Inc., (Public Domain), Shin Kwang Baduk, Michael Stanfield, J.P. Raymond Rivarola, Ha Ha Sisters LLC, Yellow Mountain Imports, The Avalon Hill Game Co, E. S. Lowe Company Inc., Fame Products, Gammon Games, Waddingtons, Dilemma Games, Longfield Games, Ludens Spirit, Ponnuki, HEMA, Schmidt Spiele, Schmidt International, 6Brothers Baduk, Volume-One Products, Milton Bradley, Dujardin, Philos, (Unknown), Wm F. Drueke & Sons, Inc., Japan Publications, Inc., Ishi Press International, Das Spiel, (Self-Published), Jumbo, Barnes & Noble, Otto Maier Verlag, nestorgames, Cathay, Gentosha Education, Crisloid, John Sands Pty Ltd, Pacific Game Company, General Sportcraft Company, Wood Expressions, Borras Plana S.A., The Game Crafter, LLC, Dal Negro, Ariel Productions Ltd, WorldWise Imports, LLC, Reiss Games, Geoludie, The Game Keeper, Inc., L. P. Septímio, Sato Kei Shoten Co., Ltd., Spear's Games, Alga, Spielquader, Brybelly, Mitsubishi Fuso