How to Play Gomoku (Five in a Row)
Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row or Wuziqi, is a classic abstract strategy game played on a 15×15 grid. Two players take turns placing stones of their color—black and white—on the intersections of the grid. The objective is simple: be the first to form an unbroken line of five stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Black typically moves first, and the game combines straightforward rules with deep strategic possibilities.
The game has ancient origins, with similar variants played in China, Japan, and Korea for centuries. The name "Gomoku" comes from Japanese (五目, "five points"), while the Chinese name "Wuziqi" means "five-in-a-row chess." Unlike chess or Go, Gomoku has no captures or complex piece movement—only placement. This simplicity makes it easy to learn, but mastering the game requires understanding patterns, threats, and positional play. The game is sometimes confused with Connect Four, but Gomoku uses a flat grid with stones placed on intersections rather than dropped into columns.
Strategy Tips
Control the center early. The middle of the board offers the most flexibility for building winning lines in multiple directions. Watch for "open threes"—three stones in a row with both ends open—because they can often be extended into an unstoppable four. Learn to recognize "double threats," positions where you create two ways to win on your next move, forcing your opponent to block one while you complete the other. Always block your opponent's four-in-a-row immediately, and be wary of leaving open threes that they can exploit.
Defensive play is crucial. A common mistake is focusing only on your own threats while ignoring your opponent's building patterns. Skilled players balance offense and defense, blocking critical lines while advancing their own. The corners and edges can be useful for creating diagonal threats that are harder to spot. In competitive play, some rule sets add restrictions—such as forbidding certain opening moves or requiring a swap rule—to balance the first-mover advantage. Our online version uses the free placement rule set for maximum accessibility.
Play Online for Free
Our Gomoku game features a beautiful wooden-style board rendered on canvas, with smooth stone placement and a clear last-move indicator. Play against the computer at three difficulty levels: Easy AI makes random valid moves for beginners, Normal AI uses pattern matching to block threats and create opportunities, and Hard AI evaluates the board to find strong defensive and offensive moves. Session statistics track your wins, current streak, and best streak. The game uses cryptographically secure randomness for fair AI play. No installation required—just open this page and start playing. Challenge yourself to improve your streak and outthink the AI. Perfect for quick breaks, commutes, or honing your strategic thinking.