Go Coordinates and Notation
To talk about a Go game — to record it, discuss a move, or read a problem — you need a way to name each point on the board. Go uses a simple grid of letters and numbers, with one quirky rule about a missing letter that trips up almost everyone at first.
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How points are named
Each intersection is named by its column and row. Columns are lettered left to right, and rows are numbered. So a point might be "D4" or "Q16." On a 19×19 board the columns run from A to T — which is nineteen letters only because one letter is deliberately left out.
Why the letter I is skipped
The column letters skip "I" because a capital I is easily confused with the number 1 and with the letter l. Leaving it out keeps written records clear. So the columns go A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, then J, K, and onward — a small rule that saves a lot of confusion when reading game records.
Named points and star points
Some points have traditional names as well as coordinates. The marked dots on the board are star points (hoshi); the 4-4 point in a corner is also called hoshi, and the 3-4 point is komoku. These names describe a point by its distance from the corner, which is often more useful than its letter-number coordinate when discussing openings.
Frequently asked questions
- How do Go coordinates work?
- Each point is named by a column letter and a row number, like D4 or Q16. Columns are lettered left to right and rows are numbered, giving every intersection on the board a unique, easy-to-say name.
- Why is the letter I missing from Go coordinates?
- The letter I is skipped because a capital I looks too much like the number 1 and the letter l, which would make written game records confusing. So columns run A–H, then J onward.
- What are the 4-4 and 3-4 points called?
- The 4-4 point is called hoshi, or the star point, and is marked on the board. The 3-4 point is called komoku. These names describe a point by its distance from the corner and are common in opening discussion.
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