Using the Gobans
About
These instructions are for the gobans in the playing pavilion at the go center. The ones sold in the hexagonal gazebo are similar.
Starting
On the side of the gobans there is a small, metal power button. Touch this button to reset the goban and start a game. You will be presented with a dialog box. Choose Restart (if a game was left on the board) or Play Go.
In a few seconds, the following will appear on the to top of the goban:
Game Settings
First choose the settings for the game in the section labeled ➊ by touching the stones next to the options:
Size: 19x19, 13x13 or 9x9
Mode: Normal games are recorded on the website. Teaching games are also, but marked as "teaching" games, and either player can play any move. Unrecorded games are not sent to the website.
Scoring: Area scoring uses Chinese counting: surrounded territory plus stones on the board. Black has a point subtracted for each handicap stone except the first. The results are the same as AGA rules.
Territory scoring uses Japanese counting: surrounded territor less prisoners. Be aware though, that eyes in seki count as territory.
Even Game: The komi is given to White. Area scoring defaults to 7½, Territory defaults to 6½.
Handicap Game: Set the number of handicap stones. In all cases the komi is set to ½.
Placement: In a handicap game, the handicap stones can either be fixed or free. Fixed stones are automatically placed in the tranditional positions on the hoshi points. Free stones are placed by Black before White's first move.
Begin Playing
After the settings have been chosen, each player needs to touch the stones in section ➋. This sets who will play which color and begins the game once both have picked. Changing the settings in the first section clears these stones and they have to be touched again by both players.
Playing
When it is your move, simply touch the intersection where you want to play a move. In a teaching game, either player can play the next color's move.
There are several commands you can say during play. Say them in chat without the quotes:
"undo" - Takes back the last play. The board supports undo of multiple moves.
"pass" - Pass. Two passes in a row ends play and proceeds to counting.
"resign" - Resign the game.
"markup" - Enter markup mode. See below for details.
Counting
After play stops, the dead stones on the board must be identified. Touch a stone to mark it and connected stones as dead. They will be removed from the board and added to prisoners. Either player may mark dead stones of either color.
If there is disagreement about the dead stones, or if a mistake is made, say "resume". The removed stones will all be replaced, and play resumes from before the final two passes. Play as needed and pass twice again to restart counting.
Once both players are satisfied with the removal of the dead stones, each must say "done". The board will be counted and the score announced.
Markup Mode
In mark up mode, points on the board can be marked by touching them. Initially, touching an intersection will place an ×. The markup can be changed by saying:
"circle" or "o" - set mark up to ◯
"triangle" - set mark up to △
"square" - set mark up to □
"x" - set mark up to ×
"clear" - clear all markup on the board
"resume" - clear all markup and return to playing the game (if entered markup while playing).
Review Mode
After a game is over, the play can be reviewed. Say "review" to enter review mode. The board will return to the beginning of the game.
Step forward through the moves by saying "next" or "n". Step backward by saying "back" or "b". Any of these commands can be followed by a space and a repeat count. For example "n 10" steps forward 10 moves.
In review mode, touching points will mark them. The markup mode commands are active for changing the markup symbol. Stepping forward or backward automatically clears the markup.
Ending
You can just leave the gobans as they are when you are done. If you prefer, you can clear them by touching the power button and choosing Quit or Restart from the dialog box.