There are two basic scoring systems used to determine the winner at the end of a game. These very occasionally lead to different results. The first is territory scoring, which is used in Japan and Korea. It is also believed to have been the method originally used in China. The other system, known as area scoring, is used in China. It is thought to have been developed in the 15th century.[11]
In Western countries, players have in most cases customarily used Japanese rules, though practice varies, particularly at an official level. New Zealand has long used area scoring, while national Go federations in the US, France and the UK have shifted more recently to an area scoring system.[12] The later countries have adopted a counting method (a method of calculating the score) designed to resemble that of territory scoring—while nonetheless giving the same result as if the normal area counting method had been applied—so as to minimize the practical effect of the change.
In Western countries, players have in most cases customarily used Japanese rules, though practice varies, particularly at an official level. New Zealand has long used area scoring, while national Go federations in the US, France and the UK have shifted more recently to an area scoring system.[12] The later countries have adopted a counting method (a method of calculating the score) designed to resemble that of territory scoring—while nonetheless giving the same result as if the normal area counting method had been applied—so as to minimize the practical effect of the change.
