Sabaki

Sabaki is an open-source alternative to proprietary Go board software and SGF editors. It provides a digital environment for playing, analyzing, and recording games of Go, also known as Baduk or Weiqi. The application serves as a tool for players to review matches, study board positions, and maintain a digital library of games. It is designed to handle the specific needs of the game, from basic stone placement to complex game tree navigation.

Built with Electron, the software runs as a desktop application on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It functions primarily as a visual interface for managing game trees and editing Smart Game Format (SGF) files. Users install the application to create a local environment where they can analyze professional games or record their own matches without relying on web based platforms.

Key features

• Read and save SGF games and collections
• Support for wBaduk NGF and Tygem GIB files
• SGF editing tools including lines and arrows for board markup
• Fuzzy stone placement for easier move entry
• Copy and paste functionality for game variations
• Score estimator and scoring tool
• Guess mode and autoplay capabilities
• Search functionality for move positions and comment text

The application utilizes an immutable game tree architecture to handle complex variations and branching paths within a single match. This allows players to explore multiple hypothetical move sequences without losing the primary line of play. It supports formatted SGF comments and allows users to annotate specific board positions and moves for educational purposes. The software is built using JavaScript and integrates with specialized libraries for parsing SGF files and managing board data types.

Sabaki is positioned as a dedicated tool for Go enthusiasts who require a clean interface for game analysis and SGF management. It caters to players who prefer a local desktop application for studying the game of Go.