Play Baduk Online
Baduk (바둑) is the Korean name for the game known in English as Go. The rules are identical — only the name changes. If you searched for Baduk, you are in the right place.
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Baduk and Go are the same game
Korea has one of the strongest Go cultures in the world, and there the game is called Baduk (바둑). The board, the stones, the captures, and the scoring are exactly what you will find here — only the name changes. A 19×19 grid, black and white stones, capture by removing the last liberty, and the player with more territory wins.
So if a Korean drama, a streamer, or a friend introduced you to Baduk, you already know this game. Everything you learn here transfers directly, and everything written in English about Go applies to Baduk without a single change.
A short history of Baduk in Korea
Baduk arrived in Korea from China well over a thousand years ago and grew into a national pastime. The modern professional scene is organised by the Korea Baduk Association (Hanguk Kiwon), and for decades Korean players have been among the very best in the world.
Champions like Lee Chang-ho and Lee Sedol became household names, and Lee Sedol's 2016 matches against AlphaGo were watched by millions. Today players such as Shin Jin-seo continue that tradition. Baduk is taught in dedicated schools, shown on television, and played casually in homes and cafés across the country.
How to start playing Baduk here
You do not need an account, a download, or any Korean. Pick a board size, choose how strong you want the computer to play, and start. The 9×9 board is the friendliest place to learn the feel of Baduk; the full 19×19 board is where serious games are played.
If the rules are new to you, the board highlights legal moves as you hover, and a few minutes with a beginner guide is enough to get going.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Baduk the same as Go?
- Yes. Baduk is simply the Korean name for Go. The rules and equipment are identical — a Korean Baduk player and an English-speaking Go player can sit down and play with no misunderstanding.
- Can I play Baduk online for free here?
- Yes — choose a board size and play against the computer immediately, with no account and no download required.
- What board size should a Baduk beginner start on?
- Start on the 9×9 board. It teaches captures, territory, and life-and-death quickly, and a game finishes in a few minutes. Move up to 13×13 and then the full 19×19 as you get comfortable.
- Do I need to know Korean to play Baduk?
- No. The interface is in English and the rules are universal. The only Korean you may pick up is the word Baduk itself.
Ready to play?
Open the board and start a free game now.