1997-1-20 last update, 1997-1-16 first day
Robert Jasiek, jasiek@berlin.snafu.de
IGS Rules
Introduction
IGS ( telnet 203.255.112.3 6969)
has two rule sets: these rules and GOE rules. Both have been implemented by Tim
Casey. GOE rules are based on the Ing 1991 rules. The IGS rules are designed to
provide players from the whole world with a simple set resembling Japanese
rules. Special rulings are omitted in favour of void games. The rules use basic ko, forbidden suicide,
byoyomi, and
Japanese handicap. Confirmation
of life and death at the game end is left to the
players' agreement. Territory is
monochrome surrounded empty board points plus removed opponent's stones. Special
features are added.
Rules of Play
Start
- The two players of a go game play black respectively white stones on a
grid board.
- Before the start of a game the players agree on accepting this rules, the
match command, the colour choice, the size of the board, and the time
handling.
- Before the start of a game the players should agree on the rating status,
the handicap, the komi, handling of exceptional cases, and additional
features.
- Black makes either the first move or sets the handicap on an empty board.
This is followed by alternating moves of both players until the game stops.
Move
- A move is either a board play or a pass.
- A board play consists of placing a stone on an empty grid point and then
removing all units of opponent's stones that are connected by grid lines and
not adjacent to an empty grid point.
- A board play is prohibited if it leaves a unit of own
stones that are connected by grid lines and not adjacent to an empty grid
point.
- If a single stone removes a single stone, then no single
stone may remove it immediately.
- Three consecutive passes stop alternating play for confirmation of life
and death of stones on the board.
- All stones that could be removed by continued alternating play should be
removed by agreement of both players. (clicking on stones or entering
coordinates)
- Removal is ended by agreement (done); before a score check is available.
- If the players cannot agree, then play may be adjourned or resumed (undo)
until a void game occurs due to the maximal number of moves of a game
(uptime).
- Before the game stop a game is ended by forfeit due to run out of time.
- Before a done confirmation a game is ended by resignation of a player.
- After a confirmation both players have territory of
their colour. Territory includes connected units of empty grid points that are
not adjacent to an opponent's stone, with each grid point being worth one
point, and removed opponent's stones, with each stone being worth one point.
The komi is added to the white territory. The player with more territory wins
the game.
Komi
- When creating a game IGS proposes komi.
- Both players may agree upon another value and should set it before the
second move.
Illegal Move
- Successive moves of one player, moves on occupied board points or off the
board, and violations of move rules are announced but otherwise ignored.
Undo
- Before the game stop undoing a move is a right.
- Disagreement of confirmation requires undo.
Interruption
- Interruption can be caused by mutual agreement (adjourn), hardware or
software problems.
- Interrupted games are to be resumed (load) as soon as possible. Otherwise
a lost player has to inform his opponent. It is possible to resign a stored
game.
- Intentional escaping combined with refraining resumption is considered
unethical by the IGS community.
- If a resumed game is not completely saved, prior play must be repeated.
- Each player starts with the same amount of time.
- The available time consists of basic time and byoyomi.
- Byoyomi requires play of a fixed number of stones within a fixed period of
time.
- The use of addtime is a right. It is polite to add time in case of netlag.