The Offering

The 1st phase of the play of Zhadu is known as the Horizon. This occurs before a player has made their first captured stone. The Offering consists of the initial placement of ones stones on the board and the moves before the first capture for a player. There are essentially five groups of opening positions and six distinct setups within each group. Each group corresponds to the different kinds of stones.

The Offering is an often neglected aspect of the play. Contrary to what some may believe, the strategic considerations begin with the actual placing of the stones. More light will be shed on this subject as we learn more from the journals of Hakummar. In future articles, we explore the different groups & setups and the advantages/disadvantages there within.