Gomoku

How to Play Gomoku

Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, is played on a 15x15 grid. Players take turns placing stones on the intersections - black moves first. The first player to line up exactly five or more stones in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins the game. Stones never move or get captured once placed, so every stone is a permanent part of the battlefield.

On PlayVersusAI you play black against a white-stoned AI, or face a friend in real-time multiplayer. The AI recognizes open threes, broken fours, and double threats - on the higher difficulties it will punish a single careless move.

Strategy Tips

• Open threes force a response - three in a row with both ends open becomes an unstoppable four if ignored. Build them, and block your opponent's.
• Win with double threats - a single threat can always be blocked. Aim to create two threats with one stone (a "3x3" or "4x3" fork) so your opponent can only stop one.
• Play close to the action - stones far from the fight rarely matter. Most strong moves are within two intersections of existing stones.
• The center is king - the middle of the board touches the most possible lines. Opening in or near the center gives you the most future options.
• Defense is offense - the best blocking moves also extend your own lines. When you must defend, look for the block that builds toward your own five.