Gomoku
Get five stones in a row before your opponent does. Sounds simple, but it isn't. Play Gomoku online against friends or the bot, on 15×15 or 19×19.
2 - 2 Players
Bots available
Leaderboard
| Rank | Player | Rating | Games | Win Rate |
|---|
Which rule do you want to play?
Freestyle is the easiest place to start. Standard and Renju are stricter and make things harder for black. You can switch the rule in the lobby at any time.
Board size
15×15 is the classic Gomoku board. On 19×19 you get more room and games take longer.
How Gomoku works
You can explain the rules in a minute. Playing well takes a bit longer.
- 1
Take turns
Black starts. After that you take turns placing one stone on an empty point. Once a stone is down, it stays there until the end.
- 2
Five wins
The first player with five stones next to each other wins right away. Horizontal, vertical and diagonal all count.
- 3
Open three
Three stones with free space on both ends get dangerous fast. If you don't block, you'll be facing an open four next.
- 4
Stop the four
Against a four you have exactly one move. Play on the free end, or the game is over.
Ready?
Freestyle on 15×15 is the best way to start. Against the bot you can practice without any pressure.
If the board fills up and nobody has five in a row, the game is a draw. That almost never happens, though.
Three tips to get started
Play in the center
From the center you have room for rows in every direction. Near the edge you run out of space quickly.
Block early
Don't wait until your opponent has four stones. An open three is best closed right away.
Make two threats
Most games are won with two threats at once, for example a four and an open three. Your opponent can't stop both.
What you can do here
Play the bot
Three levels from easy to hard. Good practice before you take on your friends.
Two board sizes
15×15 or 19×19, depending on how much room you want.
Time control
From bullet to classical, with a bonus per move or no clock at all.
Take back
Misclicked? Ask your opponent if you can take the move back. The bot always says yes.
Move list
Every move is recorded. Use the arrow keys to jump through the game.
Share games
Send the link or the record of your game to friends.
Spectate
Follow running games live.
Rated games
Rated games count for the leaderboard. Or just play for fun with friends.