Place stones on a 15x15 grid and be the first to line up five in a row, simple to learn, sharp to master.
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How to play
Gomoku is a classic five-in-a-row alignment game played on the intersections of a 15x15 grid. Black moves first, then players alternate placing one stone at a time on any empty point. Stones never move once placed, so every turn permanently shapes the board. The first player to form an unbroken line of five wins.
Click any empty intersection to place your stone.
Black always plays first; you can choose to play Black or White against the computer.
Line up five or more of your stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to win.
Free-style rules: there are no forbidden moves, and overlines of six or more also count.
If the whole board fills with no five in a row, the game is a draw.
Game modes
Vs computer: easy, medium, or hard, with wins ranked per difficulty.
Hot-seat: two players alternate on one device.
Online: create an invite, join with a code, or quick-match a live opponent.
Controls
Desktop: move the mouse to preview a ghost stone, then click an empty intersection to place it.
Phone & tablet: tap an empty intersection to drop your stone, the last move is marked for reference.
Tips & strategy
Build an open three (a row of three with both ends free) to threaten two ways to make four at once.
Always block an opponent's open four immediately, it becomes an unstoppable five next turn.
Look for double threats that force a win, and keep your stones connected near the centre early.
Origins
Gomoku, 'five points', or five in a row, is a deceptively simple connection game with deep roots in East Asia, played for centuries on the lines of a Go board. Refined in Japan, where a tournament form known as renju added rules to balance the first player's advantage, it spread worldwide as one of the most accessible of all strategy games.
About Gomoku
Gomoku is a traditional five-in-a-row stone game enjoyed for generations across East Asia. This is an original, free browser version with selectable sides, three CPU difficulties, hot-seat, and live online play, no download or account required.
A free, original browser game on PlayPendium. No download, no install.
