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Frequently Asked Questions about Gomoku

How do you play Gomoku?
Players take turns placing black or white stones on a board. The first player to get exactly 5 stones in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins the game.
What is the best opening strategy in Gomoku?
Start in the center of the board to maximize your options. Try to build multiple threats at once so your opponent can't block them all. Creating an open-ended row of three is a strong attacking move.
Is Gomoku the same as Go?
No, they are different games. In Gomoku you win by getting 5 stones in a row, while Go is about surrounding territory. Gomoku is played on a similar board but has much simpler rules and shorter games.
What difficulty levels does Gomoku have?
There are 3 difficulty levels to choose from. Easy mode is great for learning the basics, while the harder levels feature smarter AI that blocks your threats and builds its own winning patterns.

About Gomoku

Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row or Gobang, is an elegant strategy game played on a grid similar to a Go board. Two players take turns placing black and white stones, and the first to form an unbroken line of exactly five stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins. Though the rules take seconds to learn, the strategy runs deep: experienced players build overlapping threats, force responses, and read several moves ahead. This version offers three AI difficulty levels, so beginners can enjoy casual matches while seasoned players face a genuinely challenging opponent. Games typically last five to fifteen minutes, making Gomoku a perfect balance of quick play and meaningful strategy.

How to Play

  1. Click on any empty intersection to place a stone of your color during your turn
  2. Build toward five stones in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to win
  3. Block your opponent when they have three or four stones in a line to prevent their victory
  4. Create double threats where two lines of three or four force your opponent into an impossible block