Liberty · 气
An empty point adjacent to a stone or group. With zero liberties the group is captured.
Tsumego (Go Life & Death)
A tsumego (詰碁) is a Go life-and-death problem — a small local position where you must find the one move that captures the enemy or makes your own group live. Solving them trains the reading skill that decides the middle game.
What is a Tsumego?
- It is a puzzle, not a full game. You are given a fixed shape and told whose turn it is.
- Black or white must find the vital point: either capture the opponent's group, or secure two eyes so your own group lives.
Board
- Problems are usually set on a 9×9 board (occasionally smaller), which keeps the reading short and focused.
- The surrounding empty points are not yet decided — that is exactly what you must read out for yourself.
How to Solve
- Count the opponent's liberties first — the solution is usually the move that removes the last one, or that defends your own last liberty.
- Click the point you think is correct. A right answer plays out the capture; a wrong one gives a hint, and you can reveal the solution to learn from it.
Reading Habits
- Always assume the opponent plays the best reply — a tsumego is only solved if your move works against the toughest defence.
- Look for two eyes: a group with two separate eyes can never be captured. Making life often matters more than capturing.
Key Terms
Concepts every solver meets:
Eye · 眼
An empty point surrounded by your own stones. Two eyes make a group alive.
Vital point · 要点
The single most important point of a shape — taking or defending it decides life or death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tsumego?
A tsumego is a Go life-and-death problem: given a local position, find the move that captures the opponent or makes your own group live with two eyes.
How do these problems work?
When it is your turn (black or white), click the point you think is correct. A correct answer plays out the capture; a wrong one gives a hint, and you can also reveal the solution directly.
Why are tsumego important?
Capturing races, making life and breaking eyes all rest on life-and-death reading. A few problems a day sharpens your ability to see whether a group is alive or dead in the middle game.
Can I practice tsumego online for free?
Yes. On YiBoard, open /tsumego to practice free — no signup required.