About gomoku online
Gomoku is a two-player strategy game played on a grid. Black and white take turns placing one stone on an empty intersection, and the first player to make an unbroken line of five stones horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins. In English it is often called five in a row, and the same game is known as gomoku, from the Japanese name 五目並べ. This page lets you play gomoku online for free against a computer opponent, with no download and no account.
The standard board is 15 by 15 intersections, and this version also offers 13 and 19. You choose whether you play first as Black or second as White. Black moves first, which gives the first player a real advantage in freestyle play, so a good White player has to defend carefully from the start.
Rules used on this page
- Freestyle (default): five or more stones in a line wins.
- Exactly five: only a line of exactly five stones wins. A line of six or more does not count.
- Draw: if the board fills up with no five, the game is a draw.
- Not included: tournament renju restrictions on Black (double threes, double fours and overlines) are not applied.
Basic shapes to know
- Open four: four stones with both ends empty. It cannot be fully blocked, because it makes two winning points at once.
- Four: four stones with one end blocked. You must block the single winning point immediately.
- Open three: three stones that can become an open four with one move. Block it early.
- Split three: three stones with one gap, such as X X . X. With both ends open it can become an open four, just like a solid three.
Tips for beating the bot
- Build in the centre first. Stones near the middle have more lines to use.
- Each move, check two things: can you make five right now, and does the opponent have a four you must block?
- Create threats that force a reply, then build a double threat with two lines that cross.
- Block open threes before they become open fours. It is much easier to stop a three than a four.
- Use undo to test a line. This page gives you a few undos per game, so you can check a better move.
FAQ
Is gomoku online free to play?
Yes. The game runs in your browser, with no download, no sign-up and no payment.
Can I play gomoku on my phone?
Yes. On touch screens the board uses the full width of the screen. Tap a point once to preview it, then tap again to place your stone. You can turn this confirmation off in the settings.
What is the difference between freestyle and exactly five?
In freestyle, any line of five or more wins. In exactly-five mode, only a line of exactly five counts, so a line of six or more does not win and play continues.
What happens when the timer runs out?
If you choose a time limit of 10 or 20 seconds per move, running out of time loses the game. You can switch the time limit off on the settings screen.
How does the bot play?
The bot looks at a set of promising points near the stones on the board, scores each shape, and searches a few moves ahead. It always takes a winning move and always blocks an immediate five. Higher levels search deeper and consider more points.
Why does Insane feel slower?
Insane searches deeper, so it can take a little longer to choose a move. The time for each move is capped, so the page stays responsive.