The Opening (Fuseki)
📋 What it is
The opening (fuseki) grabs the corners first, then the sides, because corners are easiest to make territory.
🗣️ Coach says
Where to start? The proverb says "corners, then sides, then centre" — corners need the fewest stones to wall off territory because two edges do half the work. The opening is about staking big frameworks quickly, not fighting yet.
🧠 Memory hook
Corners first, sides next, centre last. Edges do half your walling for free.
😂 Giggle
Why did the corner get built first?
Because corners are the easiest place to make secure territory!
😲 Whoa!
The Go proverb "corner, side, centre" is thousands of years old and still true — even superhuman Go computers open by taking the corners.
✅ Quick check: Why do players take the corners first in the opening?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Corners need the fewest stones to surround territory, because the two board edges already form part of the wall.
Edges reduce the stones needed to enclose space, making corners the most efficient territory.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
On a 9×9 open by playing near two corners. Count how few stones it takes to sketch a corner territory.