Play Gomoku Online
The classic five-in-a-row strategy game. Challenge our AI or play with a friend.
Play NowWhat is Gomoku?
Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, Wuziqi, or Omok, is one of the world's oldest and most beloved strategy board games. Two players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections of a grid board, aiming to be the first to form an unbroken line of exactly five stones in any direction — horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
The game is deceptively simple to learn but offers remarkable strategic depth. Every move matters: you must balance offense (building your own lines) with defense (blocking your opponent). Advanced players create forks — positions that threaten to win in multiple directions simultaneously, making them impossible to block.
Gomoku is played worldwide under many names: Wuziqi (五子棋) in China, Gomoku Narabe (五目並べ) in Japan, Omok (오목) in Korea, and Gobang in parts of Europe. The professional variant, Renju, adds restrictions on the first player to create a more balanced competitive game.
How to Play Gomoku
Place Your Stones
Two players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections of the board.
Build Your Line
Try to form an unbroken line of five stones — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Win the Game
The first player to get exactly five in a row wins! With Renju rules, black has extra restrictions.
Why Play Gomoku Here?
Adjustable AI Strength
Choose from 10 difficulty levels. Our AI uses minimax search with alpha-beta pruning, running in a background thread so your game stays smooth even at the highest settings.
Configurable Board Size
Play on boards from 9x9 (quick games) to 19x19 (deep strategy). The standard 15x15 board offers the perfect balance of speed and depth.
Optional Renju Rules
Enable professional Renju restrictions for black to balance the first-move advantage. Perfect for players who want a more competitive experience.
100% Free, No Sign-Up
No account needed, no ads, no downloads. Just open the page and start playing instantly in your browser on any device.
Auto-Save Progress
Your game is automatically saved to your browser. Close the tab and come back anytime — your board will be exactly where you left it.
Undo & Replay
Made a mistake? Use the undo button to take back moves. In AI mode, it reverses both your move and the AI's response.
Winning Strategies
Control the Center
Stones near the center influence more lines than those on the edges, giving you more options.
Create Double Threats
Build positions where you threaten to win in two directions at once — your opponent can only block one.
Watch Your Opponent
Always check if your opponent has three or four in a row before making an offensive move.
Learn Key Patterns
An open four (four in a row with both ends open) is an unstoppable winning pattern.
Think Ahead
Plan at least 2-3 moves ahead. Consider how your opponent will respond to each of your moves.
Gomoku vs Other Strategy Games
Gomoku vs Chess
Unlike chess, Gomoku has no piece movement — once placed, stones never move. This makes it easier to learn while still offering deep strategy.
Gomoku vs Go
While Go uses a 19x19 board and focuses on territory control, Gomoku focuses on pattern recognition and creating threats. Games are faster, typically lasting 5-15 minutes.
Gomoku vs Tic-Tac-Toe
Gomoku is often called 'advanced tic-tac-toe.' While tic-tac-toe always ends in a draw with perfect play, Gomoku's larger board creates billions of possible positions.
Perfect For
- ✓ Beginners looking for an easy-to-learn strategy game
- ✓ Students and teachers exploring game theory and logic
- ✓ Casual players wanting a quick brain workout during breaks
- ✓ Competitive players practicing with Renju rules
- ✓ Families and friends playing together on one device
About Gomoku
Gomoku (五目並べ) originated in Japan over a thousand years ago. Known as Wuziqi (五子棋) in China and Omok (오목) in Korea, it is one of the world's most popular strategy board games. The name literally means 'five points' — referring to the goal of placing five stones in a row. Despite its simple rules, Gomoku offers deep strategic complexity that has captivated players across cultures for centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gomoku? +
Gomoku, also called Five in a Row, is a strategy board game where two players take turns placing stones on a grid. The first to align five stones in an unbroken row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins.
What are Renju rules? +
Renju is a professional variant of Gomoku that restricts the first player (black) from making certain moves — such as double threes, double fours, and overlines — to balance the inherent first-move advantage.
Can I play on my phone? +
Yes! Our game is fully responsive and works on mobile devices, tablets, and desktop browsers. No download required.
How does the AI work? +
Our AI uses the minimax algorithm with alpha-beta pruning. You can adjust its strength from 1 (beginner-friendly) to 10 (very challenging) using the depth slider.
What board sizes are available? +
You can choose any board size from 9×9 to 19×19. The standard size is 15×15, but smaller boards make for faster games and larger boards offer more complex play.