The basic rules and system are very similar throughout the world, but there are minor variations between Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese and Ing rules. The main differences are as follows.

1) The units of territory

In Korean, Japanese and Ing rules, the value of an intersection is one point, while in Chinese and Taiwanese rules, its value is half a point.

2)Scoring

In Korean / Japanese rules, after playing the useful moves, a players score is the number of the surrounded empty spaces plus prisoners. In Chinese / Taiwanese / Ing rules, the total area controlled by a player is counted including stones on the board but not adding prisoners (so the neutral points must be played out).

3)Prohibited Chaksu (plays)

In Korean / Japanese rules suicide plays are not allowed. A and B in Figure 1 are both illegal plays. Under Chinese rules, White can play A or B but Whites turn in then over and the stones will be removed.   Case B in Figure 1 is more complicated. Under Korean / Japnese rules, white A is illegal so Black's group is alive with two eyes, however, under the Chinese rules, white can play there and Balck will remove it and must answer in the centre to make two eyes like Figure 2. Thus White B in Figure 1 is legal Paegam.

4)Dum (komi) and Time Limits

Currently 5.5 points of Dum is the norm but 6.5 points is becoming popular. However, ing rules favour 8 points (equivalent to 7.5 points in the international rules). The ing rules differ from the others in the matter of time limits and Choilki (byoyomi).

In general after a player has used all the time allowed, Choilki will start however, under the Ing rules, extra time can be bought at a cost of two points. This can be done once or twice. There are other minor differences, which are omitted here.

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