3. Setup
Starting Position
- The board starts empty; there is no initial arrangement of stones in an even game
- Black moves first in an even game (AGA Rule 2)
Komi (Compensation)
- Because Black plays first, White receives komi — compensation added to White's score
- AGA komi in an even game is 7½ points. The AGA raised komi from 5½ in August 2004, effective 2005; the half point prevents draws
- In a handicap game White instead receives ½ point, again to avoid a tie (AGA Rule 3)
Handicap
- The weaker player takes Black (AGA Rule 4)
- Black either moves first normally, or places 2 to 9 handicap stones on the star points before White's first move
- Handicap games are the standard way for players of different ranks to play an even contest