How to play Gomoku
Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, is played on a 15x15 grid. Black and white take turns placing one stone on an empty intersection. Black goes first. The first player to line up five or more stones in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, wins.
Strategy tips
- Play near the centre early. Stones in the middle have more room to make lines.
- An "open three" (three in a row with both ends free) forces your opponent to respond.
- Build two threats at once, such as a four and an open three. Your opponent can only block one.
- Block your opponent's open threes before they become open fours.