Five in a row wins, in any direction. Freestyle rules, so six or more counts too.
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Opening a sessionโฆ
Connectingโฆ Refreshing this page starts a new game and a new code.
About Gomoku
Free online Gomoku on a full 15x15 board. Place stones and be first to get five in a row, against an AI that hunts threats or a live opponent.
Gomoku is played wherever a Go board is found, and in Japan it goes by gomokunarabe, literally five lined up. It is the easiest serious game in the world to teach - place a stone, get five in a row - and one of the hardest to play well, because the whole game is about building two threats at once. A single line of three that is open at both ends forces a block; two of them at the same time cannot both be blocked, and that is how games are actually won. Our Hard AI scores every open run on the board and searches ahead from the most dangerous points, so it will punish an open three and will not miss your four.
Frequently asked questions
Does six in a row count?๏ผ
Yes. This is freestyle Gomoku, where five or more in a line wins. Some tournament rules require exactly five, and also handicap black's opening, but those are left out of a family version.
Does the first player always win?๏ผ
With perfect play on an unrestricted board black has a known advantage, which is exactly why tournament rules add opening restrictions. In practice, against a human or our AI, the advantage is small.
What is the single best habit to learn?๏ผ
Watch for an open three - three of your opponent's stones with empty points at both ends. It must be blocked immediately, because it becomes an unstoppable four next turn.
How do I win rather than just avoid losing?๏ผ
Build a move that makes two threats at once. One four can be blocked; a four and an open three created by the same stone cannot.
How strong is the Hard AI?๏ผ
It always takes a win and always blocks yours, then searches ahead from the most threatening points. It will beat casual play comfortably.
Is Gomoku the same as Connect Four?๏ผ
No. In Connect Four discs fall to the bottom of a column and you need four; in Gomoku you place a stone anywhere on a 15x15 grid and you need five.
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