Gomoku strategy guide
Be the first to place exactly five of your stones in an unbroken line: across, down or diagonally.
The rules in brief
- 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.
Strategy
- 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.
- Watch the overline
- Exactly five wins. If filling a gap would make six, it does not win, and your opponent may ignore it.
- Stay connected
- Stones placed one or two points apart in several directions create many future lines. Isolated stones on the edge rarely help.
What each level teaches
- Finish the Five: Recognize an open winning end.
- Defend the Middle: Block threats while building your own line.
- Crossroads: Track threats in two directions.
- Broken Lines: Connect separated stones across a gap.
- Two Fronts: Manage initiative across the centre.
- The Counterattack: Counter a forcing sequence.
- Open Four Race: Read overlapping attack and defence.
- Threat Sequence: Anticipate forcing threats on a shorter clock.
- Second Player Trial: Win as White against deeper defence.
- The Exact Five Final: Build simultaneous threats under time pressure.