Basic Gomoku Rules
A move places one stone and stones do not move afterward. Standard casual Gomoku usually treats five or more connected stones as a win, while tournament variants may use restrictions.
Turn order
Black normally moves first, then players alternate. A player may place exactly one stone on any empty intersection on each turn.
Winning
The standard casual objective is to create an unbroken horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of five stones. Some formal variants distinguish exactly five from an overline.
Board size
15×15 is a common dedicated Gomoku board size. 19×19 boards are also used, especially when playing on Go-style equipment.
Rule variants
Renju and tournament rule sets can restrict certain opening patterns or Black’s moves to reduce first-player advantage. Casual Gomoku is usually simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gomoku?
Gomoku is a two-player abstract strategy game in which players place black and white stones on a grid and try to make five in a row.
Can I play Gomoku against the computer?
Yes. Choose Vs Computer and select Easy, Medium or Hard difficulty.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Select 2 Players and take turns using the same board.
What board size does Gomoku use?
15×15 is common for Gomoku, while 19×19 is also widely used. This site supports both sizes.