Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, is one of the oldest and most popular board games in the world. In this guide, we’ll cover the basic rules and some beginner strategies to help you get started.
The Basics
Gomoku is played on a grid board (traditionally 15×15). Two players take turns placing black and white stones on the intersections. The first player to form an unbroken line of five stones — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — wins the game.
Opening Strategy
The first few moves in Gomoku are crucial. As the black player (who moves first), you have a slight advantage. A common opening strategy is to start near the center of the board, which gives you the most options for extending your lines in multiple directions.
Key Tips for Beginners
- Control the center — Stones near the center influence more lines than those on the edges.
- Think ahead — Always consider how your opponent will respond to your move.
- Build multiple threats — Try to create positions where you threaten to win in more than one direction.
- Block your opponent — Don’t focus only on offense. Watch for your opponent’s developing lines.
Understanding Threats
A “threat” in Gomoku is a sequence of stones that could become five in a row. The most important threats are:
- Open four: Four stones in a row with both ends open. This is almost always a winning position, as your opponent can only block one end.
- Open three: Three stones in a row with both ends open. This needs to be watched carefully as it can quickly become an open four.
Next Steps
Once you are comfortable with the basics, try enabling Renju rules for a more balanced competitive experience. Renju rules restrict certain moves for the black player to compensate for the first-move advantage.
Ready to practice? Head to our Play page and try a game against the AI!