How to Play Gomoku
Gomoku, meaning 'five points' in Japanese, is an elegant strategy game where two players compete to be the first to create an unbroken line of five stones. Played on a grid similar to Go, this game has been enjoyed in East Asia for centuries and combines accessibility with surprising strategic depth.
Objective
Be the first player to form an unbroken line of exactly five of your stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The line must contain exactly five stones, no more, no less (in standard rules).
Setup
The game is played on a 15×15 grid (or larger). The board starts empty. Black plays first and players alternate turns. Stones are placed on the intersections of the grid lines, not in the squares.
Gameplay
On your turn, place one stone of your color on any empty intersection. Stones cannot be moved or removed once placed. Players alternate turns, building patterns while blocking their opponent's attempts to form five in a row.
Winning
The first player to achieve five stones in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins immediately. If the entire board fills without either player achieving this, the game is a draw (though this is extremely rare).
Learn, Play, and Have Fun!
Ready to play Gomoku online? Start a match against the computer now. No signup, no friction.