Gomoku Online

Experience the thrill of the classic Five in a Row game in your browser. Challenge players worldwide or practice against AI.

Master the Art of Gomoku

Immerse yourself in Gomoku, an ancient board game that has captivated players for centuries. Also known as Five in a Row, this strategic masterpiece combines simple rules with deep tactical complexity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, our platform offers the perfect environment to develop your skills and enjoy engaging matches.

Comprehensive Guide to Gomoku

Essential Rules

  • Play occurs on a 19×19 grid board
  • Black always makes the first move
  • Players alternate turns placing stones on intersections
  • Victory is achieved by forming an unbroken line of exactly five stones
  • Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal
  • More than five stones in a row doesn't count as a win

Interactive Game Board Example

Click on intersections to place stones. Black plays first, followed by White.

Advanced Strategies & Tactics

Opening Strategies

  • • Start near the center for maximum flexibility
  • • Create balanced formations early
  • • Avoid placing stones too close to the edges
  • • Develop multiple potential attack lines
  • • Focus on controlling key intersections
  • • Build towards multiple winning possibilities

Mid-Game Tactics

  • • Create forced moves to limit opponent options
  • • Maintain multiple threat points
  • • Balance attack and defense
  • • Watch for diagonal opportunities
  • • Identify and block opponent's threats
  • • Create double-threat situations

Defensive Techniques

  • • Recognize common threat patterns
  • • Block opponent's winning moves immediately
  • • Create defensive formations
  • • Maintain strategic stone placement
  • • Counter opponent's development plans
  • • Turn defense into counter-attack opportunities

Winning Combinations

  • • Create multiple four-stone threats
  • • Develop unstoppable winning patterns
  • • Use forced moves to your advantage
  • • Build overlapping attack lines
  • • Execute fork attacks effectively
  • • Master the art of indirect threats

Essential Winning Patterns

Straight Four

Four stones in a row with both ends open. This creates a guaranteed winning threat that must be blocked immediately.

Double Three

Creating two separate formations of three stones that could each become an open four. A powerful attacking pattern.

Fork Attack

Creating multiple winning threats simultaneously, forcing the opponent to block one while you complete another.

Diagonal Development

Building stones diagonally creates threats that are harder to spot and defend against, especially in complex positions.

Three-Three

Multiple formations of three stones that create overlapping threats and force defensive responses.

Ladder Pattern

A sequence of forced moves that gradually builds towards a winning position, limiting opponent's counter-play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic rules of Gomoku?

Gomoku is played on a 19×19 grid. Players take turns placing stones, with Black moving first. The goal is to create an unbroken line of exactly five stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The first player to achieve this wins the game.

Is there any restriction on where I can place my stones?

In standard Gomoku, you can place stones on any empty intersection. Some variants have additional rules for the first player, but in the basic version, there are no placement restrictions.

What's the best opening strategy?

The most effective opening strategy is to play near the center of the board, which provides maximum flexibility for development. Avoid placing stones too close to the edges early in the game, as this limits your attacking potential.

How do I defend against multiple threats?

When facing multiple threats, prioritize blocking the most immediate danger. Look for moves that can block multiple threats simultaneously, and try to create counter-threats while defending.

What are the most common winning patterns?

Key winning patterns include the Straight Four (four stones in a row with open ends), Double Three (two separate three-stone formations), and Fork Attack (creating multiple simultaneous threats). Learning to recognize and create these patterns is crucial for success.

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