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.

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.

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.