Handicapping in Go

In the game of Go, a handicap can be given when two players of different strengths play each other to offset the difference and make a close, exciting game more likely. Handicapping is much more common in Go than in other board games, as the system adapts comparatively well to handicaps; perhaps half of all Go games are played with handicaps. Handicaps are given by means of stones and compensation points (komi). A small handicap is the weaker player plays as Black and gets the first move, but offers no komi for the advantage. This might be given with a difference of one rank between players. Larger handicaps give free stones placed at the start of the game for the Black player.