Ko & Repetition
📋 What it is
The "ko" rule forbids immediately recapturing to repeat the exact board position — you must play elsewhere first.
🗣️ Coach says
Sometimes two stones could capture each other back and forth forever. The KO rule stops that: after a single-stone recapture, the other player may NOT immediately take back to repeat the position. They must play a move elsewhere (a "ko threat") first. It keeps the game moving.
🧠 Memory hook
No instant take-backsies that repeat the board. Play elsewhere, then you may retake.
😂 Giggle
Why did the ko rule prevent an endless loop?
Because you can't recapture the exact same spot immediately — you must play elsewhere first!
😲 Whoa!
A "ko fight" — where each player looks for the biggest threat elsewhere to force the other to answer — can spread a tiny local battle across the WHOLE board.
✅ Quick check: The ko rule stops you from doing what?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Immediately recapturing to repeat the exact previous board position — you must play a move elsewhere first before retaking.
Ko prevents endless repetition by forcing a move elsewhere between recaptures.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Set up a simple ko shape and confirm you can't instantly take back — you must play away first.