Drop stones on a 15 by 15 board and be first to make a straight line of five, versus the computer or a friend.
Gomoku is a two-player race to line up stones. You and your opponent take turns placing black and white stones where the lines of a 15x15 grid cross. The first player to form a straight, unbroken line of five wins.
The rules take seconds to learn. The real game is in reading the board, since every stone you place can build your own line and block your rival’s at the same time.
Rules in brief
Black always moves first. Players then alternate, placing one stone per turn on any empty intersection. Once a stone is down it stays there. Nothing is captured, and nothing ever moves.
Lines count in any of four directions: horizontal, vertical or either diagonal. This version uses freestyle rules, so making six or more in a row still wins. There are no banned moves for black.
Playing the computer
When you choose “vs Computer,” you pick your color and one of three levels. Taking black means you move first, which is a real edge in freestyle play.
Easy picks a nearby point at random. Medium always grabs a winning spot or stops yours, then ranks the other options. Hard adds a short search several moves ahead. The newest stone on the board is marked with an extra ring, while the status line tells you whose turn it is.
Winning moves
The key idea is the open end. A row of three with empty points at both ends is a serious threat, often more dangerous than a four with one end already closed.
From there, look for a double threat. A single placement that makes a pair of open threes, or an open three plus a four, usually can’t be stopped. Your opponent can only block one.
The reverse is also true. If your rival builds an open three, block it right away. If it turns into an open four, your rival has two finishing points, while you can block just one.
Strategy notes
Stay near the center early, where your lines can stretch any way they like. When you are unsure, pick a point that extends your own line and also sits in the path of your rival. Gapped shapes, such as two stones, a space and another stone, are easy to miss and can still turn into five. Settings let you adjust text size, contrast, spacing and how fast the computer plays.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place a stone | Arrow keys to move between points, Enter to place | Click an empty intersection | Tap an empty intersection |
| Start a two-player game | — | Click "2 Player (local)" | Tap "2 Player (local)" |
| Start a game against the computer | — | Click "vs Computer", pick a color and level, then click "New game" | Tap "vs Computer", pick a color and level, then tap "New game" |
| Take back your last stone | — | Click "Undo" | Tap "Undo" |
| Give up the current game | — | Click "Resign" | Tap "Resign" |
Gomoku FAQ
Can I play Gomoku on a phone or Chromebook?
Yes. Tap any empty point to place a stone on a phone or tablet. On a Chromebook or laptop, click with the mouse, or move between points with the arrow keys and press Enter to drop a stone.
Is Gomoku one player or two?
You can do either. Choose "vs Computer" to play alone and pick a color and level. Choose "2 Player (local)" to pass the same device back and forth with a friend.
Can a game end in a draw?
Yes. If the board fills completely and no one has a five-stone line, the result is a draw. That is rare, since most games end well before the grid fills up.
Does it save my game?
Yes. A game in progress is stored in your browser, so it is still there when you come back. Undo takes back your most recent stone, plus the computer's answer when you are playing against it.
