Basic rules

1. The blocks are placed inside the squares on the board.

   Blocks must not be placed outside of the squares on the board.
   Blocks must not be placed diagonally to the squares on the board.

   

2. Don't stack.

   Do not place blocks on top of each other.

   

3. Two people take turns placing blocks on the board.

   The person who places the blocks on the board is called the player.
   When a player places a block on the board, it is called play.
   There are two players. In other words, the game is played one-on-one.
   Before starting a game, the players play janken (rock-paper-scissors).
   The player who wins janken will have the black block.
   The player with the black block plays first.
   Next, the player with the white block plays.

   

4. Blocks placed on the board cannot be moved.

   Players may not move the blocks they have placed on the board.
   The term "do-over" is used when a player moves a block after it has been placed on the board.
   If the player "do-over", the player loses the game by a foul.

   

5. The player with the most points on the board wins.
   （The player with the fewest points on the block case wins.）

   BlockGo is a game in which players gain territory.
   The player who takes the most territories on the board wins.
   One square drawn on a block counts as one point.
   At the end of the game, the player with the most points on the board wins.
   In order to simplify the calculation of territory, BlockGo calculates the points remaining on the block case, and the player with fewer points wins.

6. If all the blocks on a player's block case are lost during the game, that player wins.

   If either player's block case becomes empty during the game,that player wins.

7. If a player cannot place a block on the board (cannot play), the player must "pass".

   You may not be able to place a block on the board (cannot play) even if it is your turn to play.
   At that time, you must say "pass" and hand your turn to opponent.

8. What is the end of the game?

   The game ends when both players say "pass" consecutively.
   When the game is over, the players count the points remaining on the block case.

9. Passing the handicap from black to white.

   Since the player with the black block places his block first, the black player has a slight advantage.
   Therefore, the player with black gives a 3.5 point handicap to the player with white to make the game fair.
   At the end of the game, the black player adds 3.5 black points to the black points of the block case.
   That would be Black's total score.

Important rules

10. Can take away (capture) the block.

    Here is a black block of "1-square".
    Four roads extend from that black block.
    The black block breathes at four "breathing points" on the road around it, up, down, left, and right.
    If a white block is placed on all these breathing points, the black block is taken away.
    The black block taken away is returned to the black block case.

    Then how about at the edge of the board?
    Three roads extend from that black block.
    The black block breathes at three "breathing points" around it.
    If a white block is placed on all these breathing points, the black block is taken away.
    The black block taken away is returned to the black block case.

    Then how about in the corner of the board?
    Two roads extend from that black block.
    The black block breathes at two "breathing points" around it.
    If a white block is placed on all these breathing points, the black block is taken away.
    The black block taken away is returned to the black block case.

    application

    Now, how about a black block of "3-squares"?
    Eight roads extend from the black block.
    These black blocks breathe at eight "breathing points" around them.
    If a white block is placed on all of these breathing points, these black blocks are taken away.
    These black blocks taken away are returned to the black block case.

11. You can't put a block where there is no breathing point.

    There is a shape surrounded by four white blocks of "1-square".
    Can you place a black block of "1-square" here?
    There are no breathing points on this black block.
    So the black block is taken away the moment it is placed.
    Thus, where a block cannot be placed, it is called "boo".

    application

    Can you place a black block of "1-square" here?
    The black player may place a black block of "1-square" in this place.
    Because one breathing point remains in the black block.
    The black block is breathing, so it is possible to place a black block of "1-square" here.

    So, Can you place a black block of "3-squares" here?
    Oh, all the black block breathing points are gone.
    So, a black block of "3-squares" cannot be placed here.
    It's "boo"!

12. A shape in which neither the black nor white block can be placed with "boo" is called "dead-end".

    Do you think you can place a black block of "1-square" here?
    If the player with black places a black block of "1-square", both the black and white blocks will lose breathing points.
    Do you think you can place a white block of "1-square" here?
    If the player with white places a white block of "1-square", both the black and white blocks will lose breathing points.
    This point is where neither Black nor White can place a block with "boo".
    Thus, a shape in which neither the black nor white block can be placed with "boo" is called "dead-end".

It will surely help you understand the rules.
Place the "1-square" blocks on the board as you wish.

1. Let's take away (capture) a white block surrounded by black blocks.
2. Let's place blocks to create a "boo" shape.
   Only one of the black or white blocks can be placed on the "boo".
3. Let's place blocks to create a "dead-end" shape.
   No block, either black or white, may be placed on the "dead-end" shape.