The opening of Go — often called fuseki — can look mysterious. The board is almost empty, and every point seems possible. Yet strong players usually start the same way: in the corners, then along the sides, and only later in the centre. This is not tradition for its own sake. It follows directly from how liberties and territory work. Understanding the reason makes the opening much less intimidating.
Why corners first
To surround territory you need walls of stones. In the corner, two edges of the board already act as walls. You only need to build two short sides yourself. On the side, one edge helps and you build three sides. In the centre, you must build all four.
So the same number of stones surrounds much more territory in the corner than in the centre. That is why the first moves in most games go to the corners, usually on the third or fourth line from the edges.
The same logic explains why a group in the corner lives more easily: it needs less space to make two eyes, because the edges help enclose it.
Then the sides
After the corners are taken, the next biggest areas are the sides between them. A move on the side can extend from a corner stone, building a framework, or it can split the opponent's side so that neither player gets a large area there.
A classic idea: extend along the side from your corner by a distance that is safe but still claims space. From a single stone on the third line, an extension of two points along the side is solid; from a stronger position, a longer extension is possible.
Then the centre
The centre matters, but mostly as a place to run your groups into and as the meeting point of frameworks. Playing there too early is slow: a centre stone claims little by itself. Beginners who start in the middle of a 19 × 19 board usually find the opponent has quietly taken three corners.
On the 9 × 9 board this principle changes: the board is so small that the centre point touches everything, and it is a strong first move. See opening on 9 × 9.
Third line or fourth line?
Two lines dominate the opening:
- The third line is the line of territory. A stone here is low and secure; it makes territory along the edge and lives easily.
- The fourth line is the line of influence. A stone here is higher; it makes less secure territory but looks toward the centre and helps build frameworks.
Neither is better. A good opening mixes both. Too many third-line stones produce a small, safe position; too many fourth-line stones produce big frameworks that the opponent can invade. The balance between territory and influence is one of the central themes of Go.
The first and second lines are generally too low in the opening. Stones there make very little territory and can be pressed from above. Fifth-line and higher stones are usually too loose to hold territory.
Spacing your stones
A stone placed right next to your own stone is safe but slow. A stone placed too far away can be cut off or invaded. The art of the opening is to place stones as far apart as they can be while still supporting each other.
Rough guides for beginners:
- Along the third line, extending two or three points from a single stone is common.
- From a wall of stones, extend further; walls are strong and can support a distant stone.
- Do not extend towards the opponent's strong wall. Near strength, your stones become weak.
Big points and urgent points
Strong players often say: urgent points before big points. A big point is a place that claims a lot of area — an empty corner or a wide side. An urgent point is a move that stabilises a weak group or attacks an opponent's weak group. If one of your groups can be attacked, making it safe is usually more important than grabbing another empty area.
Beginners tend to do the opposite: they grab big points while their own groups are weak, and then lose a group in the middle game.
Common opening mistakes
- Starting in the centre on a large board.
- Playing on the first or second line in the opening.
- Overconcentration: many stones close together in one area.
- Ignoring weak groups while taking big points.
- Answering every approach move instead of sometimes playing elsewhere.
Common beginner mistakes in Go covers several of these in more detail.
How to practise the opening
The opening is most visible on 13 × 13, where there are corners and sides but games stay manageable. Play the computer on the home page at 13 × 13 and try to follow the order: corners, sides, centre. Then play people on the online page; if you save your games on your account, replay the first twenty moves and ask whether each stone had a purpose.
When the opening feels natural, look at corners, sides and centre, star point versus 3-4 point and direction of play.
A simple opening for the full board
If you want something concrete for your first 19 × 19 games, try this: occupy two corners with your first two moves, one on the fourth line (star point) and one on the third-fourth point. When your opponent approaches one of your corners, answer calmly — often a simple move that keeps your corner stone safe. When no corner is under attack, take the biggest open side, extending from one of your corners. Keep checking that none of your groups has become weak. This plan is not sophisticated, but it follows every principle in this article and gives you a healthy position going into the middle game.
Frequently asked questions
Is fuseki the same as joseki?
No. Fuseki is the opening of the whole board. Joseki are standard sequences in a single corner. The two are connected, because the right joseki depends on the rest of the board.
Why are the third and fourth lines so important?
They balance security and territory. Lower lines make too little territory; higher lines are too hard to defend.
Should I always start in a corner?
On 13 × 13 and 19 × 19, almost always. On 9 × 9, the centre is also a strong first move.
What does "overconcentration" mean?
Having too many stones in one area, where fewer stones would do the same job. The extra stones are wasted moves.
How do I know which corner to take first?
Early on, it hardly matters. Later, choose the corner that works best with your other stones.
