Play Gomoku Online

How to start Gomoku

Choose a difficulty, stone color, and move order. Black normally opens; if you select White and play second, the AI places the first stone.

Place one stone on an empty intersection each turn. The first player to connect five horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins.

• The board has 15×15 intersections.
• This version uses freestyle rules without forbidden moves.
• A full board without five in a row is a draw.

A practical threat order

First check whether you can make five, then whether an opposing four must be blocked. Without a forcing move, favor intersections that create threats in more than one direction.

AI difficulty

AI matches offer six difficulty levels and need no account. Backup AI keeps the match going if the service is unavailable; difficulty may be reduced.

Open fours and one-ended threats

Four consecutive stones with an empty intersection at both ends form an open four. Blocking one end leaves the other winning point available. An opponent’s stone or the board edge can close one end.

For example, empty–Black–Black–Black–Black–empty has two winning points; White–Black–Black–Black–Black–empty has only the right-hand one. Check vertical and diagonal lines as well.

Freestyle rules and your first exercise

This game uses freestyle Gomoku, without Black-only double-three, double-four, or overline restrictions. Rules from a Renju competition do not automatically apply here.

Start at Novice. Before placing a stone, find every immediate winning point for both sides. Make your own five if possible; otherwise block an opponent’s single winning point before building a new attack.

Practice Gomoku threats · Freestyle rules and your first exercise →

Two players

Find an opponent and start playing when matched.

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Two players →