Gomoku

About Gomoku

Gomoku is a five-in-a-row strategy game played by placing stones on a grid. The rules are easy to understand: make an unbroken line of five pieces before your opponent does.

How to play Gomoku

Players take turns placing one piece on an empty point. A player wins by making five pieces in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Because pieces usually stay where they are placed, every move changes the shape of the whole board.

Who it is for

For players who enjoy spotting lines and combining threats. It offers a different challenge from falling-piece games because each new placement can extend several possible lines.

Features

• Place pieces on empty grid points.
• Build an unbroken line of five.
• Horizontal, vertical and diagonal winning lines.

Tips for playing Gomoku

Look for open-ended lines that can become threats in more than one direction. Block your opponent's four-in-a-row threats immediately, and try to create double threats that cannot both be stopped.

Important limitations

Game rules and controls are shown on the page. Results are for entertainment and practice; the site does not provide competitive ranking or guaranteed skill assessment.

Related online games

• Two Player Gomoku
• 2048

Gomoku history and background

Gomoku is strongly associated with East Asian board-game traditions and is commonly played with Go stones. Its name comes from Japanese wording connected with five pieces in a row, and similar games are known in China and Korea.

Gomoku FAQ

How do you win Gomoku?

You win by making an unbroken line of five pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Is Gomoku the same as Go?

No. Gomoku often uses Go stones and a grid, but the aim is different: Gomoku is about making five in a row, while Go is about territory.