Openings in 9x9 for Beginners

[miyoung]

Hi there,
I am pretty new to this game. Just learned it a week ago, and it is quite fun. I already see some shapes, too. But I have a feeling that my games are determined very early because I don’t claim enough territory during the first moves. Sometimes, the opponent even puts me under pressure so that I have to react and cannot spread in the first couple of moves. What are typical moves during the beginning of the game and how do I prevent my opponent to claim too much territory in the start, especially when my opponent begins?

Thank you in advance!

[flovo]

Hi, welcome to Go and OGS.

You can find a collection of common openings at 9x9 Opening Tree (new AI version) and Play Go at online-go.com! | OGS (older version using games by Professionals). Both 9x9 opening collections are made by @mark5000.

If you want to become good at 9x9 there is also 81 Lions by Immanuel deVillers with explanations about the different 9x9 openings and general strategy on 9x9.

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@mark5000

WHITE’S STRATEGY

Perhaps you have heard the proverb Five Groups Might Live But the Sixth Will Die . In 9x9, the proverb is Two Groups Might Live But the Third Will Die . I do not know of any dan-level game where white lived with three groups. Therefore, white may employ one of two strategic choices: (1) live with two groups or (2) make one group as big as black’s group (and komi is your friend). White may switch between these objectives based on the state of the board.

Note: two living groups is not always enough for the win. (If your territory is only two sets of two eyes, you’re not doing very well, obviously.) But the general rule is good enough because in practice it’s hard for black to reduce the territory of both groups at once.

BLACK’S STRATEGY

White’s strategy comes first because black’s strategy is mostly a reaction against the other. Black’s strategy is about balance. On one hand, black strives to stop white from living with the second group. On the other hand, black has to watch that the former group doesn’t wrap around black’s group or grow in size to rival it. Black should win if both objectives are met—white has one living group that is smaller than black’s group.

[miyoung]

Perfect, that was helpful! Thanks for sharing!

[mark5000]

This may interest you as well.

All Good 9x9 Openings: All Good 9x9 Openings (online-go.com)

EDIT: No longer private. Thanks @teapoweredrobot.

[teapoweredrobot]

@mark5000 that says “puzzle not found or inaccessible” when I try it