Gomoku

Take turns placing black and white stones on a 15 × 15 board. The first to get exactly five (or more) in an unbroken line wins. Play the computer or a friend on one screen.

How to use the Gomoku

1. Choose a mode. Play vs Computer and pick Easy, Medium or Hard, or switch to 2 players.
2. Pick your color and rule. Black always moves first. Freestyle counts six or more in a row as a win; Exactly five does not.
3. Place a stone by clicking or tapping any empty intersection. Stones never move once placed.
4. Build and block lines. Make open threes and fours while watching your opponent's lines. Red rings warn you when they can make five.
5. Get five in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally to win. Use Undo move or Show hint whenever you need.

Gomoku shapes to know

Almost every Gomoku game is decided by threats. Learning to recognise these shapes, for yourself and your opponent, is the fastest way to improve. In the patterns below, ● is a stone and · an empty point.

Strategy tips

• Always check for fours first. Before anything else, look for a point where your opponent could complete five. Turn on Warn about threats to have these marked in red.
• Block open threes early. Once an open three becomes an open four, the game is over. Block on the side that also helps your own stones.
• Attack in two directions. Place stones where they extend lines in several directions at once. Moves near the center of your group create double threats later.
• Use forcing moves. A four forces a reply. Chaining fours (a VCF, victory by continuous fours) or fours and threes (VCT) lets you set up a winning double threat while your opponent can only respond.
• Keep the initiative. In Gomoku the attacker usually wins. When you are not forced to defend, add to your own threats instead of making passive moves.

Frequently asked questions

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