Gomoku
Five in a row, exactly. Build two threats at once and the game is yours.
Level 1: Finish the Five. Place at G5 to form exactly five.
Rules
Goal: Be the first to place exactly five of your stones in an unbroken line: across, down or diagonally.
- Black plays first. Players take turns placing one stone on any empty point.
- Exactly five in a row wins. A line of six or more (an overline) does not count.
- There are no restricted patterns: double threes and double fours are allowed for both sides.
- If the board fills up with no five, the game is a draw. A draw does not clear a level.
- Levels use 9×9, 13×13 and 15×15 boards.
Controls: Tap or click an empty point to place a stone. With a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and press Enter or Space to place.
The ten levels
Levels 1 to 7 are free and open one at a time. Levels 8 to 10 are expert challenges with Premium.
- Finish the Five Recognize an open winning end. Place at G5 to form exactly five. Available
- Defend the Middle Block threats while building your own line. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- Crossroads Track threats in two directions. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- Broken Lines Connect separated stones across a gap. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- Two Fronts Manage initiative across the centre. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- The Counterattack Counter a forcing sequence. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- Open Four Race Read overlapping attack and defence. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Locked
- Threat Sequence Anticipate forcing threats on a shorter clock. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Premium
- Second Player Trial Win as White against deeper defence. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Premium
- The Exact Five Final Build simultaneous threats under time pressure. Win by making a line of exactly five. A draw does not clear. Premium
Strategy tips
- Open fours win
- A four with both ends empty cannot be stopped: whichever end your opponent blocks, you complete five at the other.
- Make two threats at once
- A move that makes a four and an open three together (a 4-3) usually wins, because a single reply can only answer one of them.
- Answer fours first
- When your opponent has four in a row with an open end, you must block it now. Check for this before every move.