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Gomoku

Classic Two-Player Board Game

Game Mode
Difficulty
Black (You) to moveMoves: 0

Game Rules

  • Players take turns placing stones on the intersections of the board.
  • Black plays first, followed by White.
  • The first player to form an unbroken chain of five stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins.

Game Modes

  • Player vs Player: Play against another person on the same device, taking turns.
  • Player vs AI: Play against the computer AI with adjustable difficulty levels.

Operation Guide

  • Click on an intersection to place your stone.
  • Use the Undo button to take back your last move (in PVP) or last two moves (in PVE).
  • Click Restart to begin a new game with the same settings.
  • Toggle Hints to see suggested moves based on the current board state.
  • Keyboard: use the arrow keys to move around the board and Enter or Space to place a stone.
Game Guide

Gomoku Guide, Rules, and Tips

Gomoku, also called Five in a Row, is a fast two-player strategy game: take turns placing stones and be the first to line up five in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Play a friend on the same device or challenge the AI at different difficulty levels.

Two-Player GamesBoard Games

How to Play

  • Players alternate placing one stone on an empty intersection; Black moves first.
  • The first player to make an unbroken line of five stones wins.
  • Lines can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
  • Stones are never moved or captured once placed.

Strategy and Tips

  • Start near the center, where lines can extend in every direction.
  • An open three (three in a row with both ends empty) must be blocked immediately, or it becomes an unstoppable open four.
  • Aim for double threats, such as two open threes at once, which your opponent cannot block together.
  • Check the diagonals as carefully as rows and columns; they are the easiest threats to miss.

Controls

MouseTouch

Click or tap an intersection to place a stone. Use Undo to take back your last move in two-player mode or the last pair of moves against the AI.

Background

Five-in-a-row games have been played on Go boards in East Asia for centuries. The name Gomoku comes from Japanese. Because the first player has a strong advantage, competitive variants such as Renju add restrictions for Black.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Gomoku against the computer?

Yes. Choose Player vs AI to play the computer, or Player vs Player to play a friend on one screen.

Does six in a row count as a win?

This version uses free-style rules, where a line of five or more stones wins.

How do I stop losing to double threats?

Block open threes as soon as they appear, before they combine into two threats at once. Our Gomoku tactics guide explains the common patterns.