Gomoku — Five in a Row
Gomoku
Full board
How to play
Players alternate placing stones on a 15×15 board; first to connect five in any direction wins.
Connect two directions with one stone
Gomoku revolves around creating and stopping open threes and fours. A stone that participates in threats along two directions is stronger than a longer isolated line.
When defending, prefer a blocking square that also connects your stones. Defense then prepares an attack instead of merely spending a move.
Origin & history
Gomoku (five in a row) has been played across East Asia for centuries, formalized in Japan as gomoku-narabe and the ancestor of international Renju rules.
FAQ
Does the first player (black) have an advantage?
Yes — with no restrictions, black is a theoretical forced win, which is why official Renju bans double-threes and double-fours for black. This version uses casual free rules.
Any tips to beat the AI?
Create a double threat — two open threes at once. The AI can block one, not both.