Play free online vs AI or with a friend — Learn the classic strategy game from ancient China
Control the center → Build open lines → Block opponent's open fours → Create double threats
Master these four principles and you'll beat 90% of casual players. For deep guides, opening theories and advanced tactics, check out the full Strategy Library below.
From beginner rules to pro-level tactics, history insights to mental game skills — all guides are written for players of every level.
From ancient Chinese Wuziqi to modern competitive Gomoku — the full story of how five-in-a-row conquered the world.
Read MoreLearn official rules in 10 minutes: board setup, turn order, winning conditions, draws and common rule misunderstandings.
Read MoreBreak down the most common openings: direct openings, indirect openings, and which ones fit your play style best.
Read MoreThe building blocks of every Gomoku attack. Learn to recognize, build and defend against fundamental line patterns.
Read MoreGood defense wins games. Learn how to read threats, prioritize blocks, and turn defense into counterattack opportunities.
Read MoreCreate two threats at once — your opponent can only block one. Master the art of setting up double kills.
Read MoreFull guide to Renju rules: three-three, four-four, overline forbidden moves, and why pro play needs balance rules.
Read MoreBehind the AI opponent: minimax, alpha-beta pruning, pattern scoring, and why expert AI is so hard to beat.
Read MoreA step-by-step roadmap from total beginner to advanced player. Exactly what to practice at each skill level.
Read MoreAnalyze the most famous games in competitive history, with move-by-move breakdowns of key turning points.
Read MoreThe most common bad habits that keep you stuck at casual level — and exactly how to fix each one.
Read MoreHow to avoid tilt, maintain focus, think clearly in tight positions, and outlast your opponent psychologically.
Read More15x15 vs 19x19 boards, freestyle vs standard rules, Omok, Connect5 — all variants compared.
Read MoreThree games, same board — completely different strategies. Learn what makes each unique and which to learn first.
Read MoreWhy Gomoku is one of the best first strategy games for children, plus fun ways to introduce it to young learners.
Read MoreWorld Championships, national leagues, top players and prize pools — everything about competitive Gomoku.
Read MoreDon't throw away winning games. Learn clean endgame execution, VCF chains and avoiding last-mistake losses.
Read MoreWhen you're on the back foot: how to slow down your opponent, create counter-threats, and turn defense into victory.
Read MoreBest practices for playing online: how to handle disconnects, time controls, chat etiquette and fair play.
Read MorePro-level mindset: how to judge who is winning, prioritize candidate moves, and plan multiple turns ahead.
Read MoreNo. Connect 4 drops pieces vertically into a 7×6 grid and relies on gravity. Gomoku lets you place stones freely on any 15×15 intersection, with far deeper strategic possibilities.
On a standard 15×15 board with no restrictions, Gomoku is a proven first-player win with perfect play. However, this requires memorizing thousands of opening lines. For casual and even most experienced players, skill level determines the outcome. Professional tournaments use special opening rules to balance the first-move advantage.
Yes. Select "Two Players" mode and take turns placing stones on the same device. Black plays first, then white alternates.
In AI mode, tap "Show Hint" to see a recommended move calculated by the AI. It helps beginners learn good positioning and defensive moves.
Yes. In AI mode, undo removes both your last stone and the AI's response. In two-player mode, undo takes back only the last move.
No. The entire game runs directly in your web browser. No installation, no registration required.
While they use the same board and stones, they are completely different games. Go is about surrounding territory and capturing stones, while Gomoku is solely about forming five in a row. Gomoku is much simpler to learn.
Play the classic Five-in-a-Row game against adjustable AI or with a friend locally.
Explore 20 in-depth strategy guides in our full library.
No download · No registration · 100% Free