Parallel Go

I had an idea recently about games where both players choose moves simultaneously. This concept is valid for Go, chess, and many similar games.

The most important rule is that if the result of the moves depends on the order the moves are played (technically speaking, if they do not commute), both players are forced to choose a different move. This “simultaneous moves” concept has been done for Go before (see Go variant: SAS Go) but my implementation is slightly different due to the above rule.

I have created an experimental version of this game which you can try (with a friend) at https://parallel-go.herokuapp.com/. Read the Help page for the full rules.

Some initial thoughts from playing and studying it myself:

  • Life and death are significantly changed.
  • Forget your joseki.
  • Ladders do not work.
  • Everything feels like ko.
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