Gomoku

Goal

Place an unbroken line of at least five of your stones before your opponent.

How do I place stones?

You play Black in these lessons; your opponent plays White. Black starts; players alternate placing one stone on an empty intersection of the 15 by 15 board. Click, tap, or use arrows and Enter. Stones cannot move or capture; occupied intersections are unavailable.

How do I build and defend a line?

Extend connected stones along one horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. Block the open end of an opponent’s four before they reach five. A single placement can create threats in more than one direction, but only a completed line wins.

Does a line longer than five win?

Yes. The first unbroken line of five or more wins immediately in any straight direction. There is no separate score. A full board with no winning line is a draw. This freestyle implementation has no forbidden double-three, double-four, overline or swap-opening rules; tournament Renju differs.

What changes with difficulty?

Play the computer or share the board with another person. Difficulty changes computer choices, while placement and winning rules stay the same.

Can I move or capture stones?

No. Each turn places one new stone on an empty intersection. Existing stones stay fixed, so plan around both colors.