Board games
Gomoku
- players
- 2
- minutes
- 15
- years
- 8+
In the box
1 goban · Black and white stones
Official rules (federation's site)
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- Pattern BuildingSquare Grid
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Line up five consecutive stones, in a row, a column or a diagonal. Black starts, then players take turns placing a stone on an empty intersection; stones do not move and are not captured. The game ends at the first line of five, which wins it.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Goban or squared paper, Black starts
- A go board or a sheet of squared paper.
- Black starts.
How to play
1 stone per turn, Stones never move, No captures
- Players take turns placing a stone on an empty intersection.
- Stones do not move and are not captured.
Scoring
No points, Games won
- No points: count the games won.
End of the game
Line of 5
- The game ends at the first line of five.
House rules and pitfalls
Without restrictions, the first player always wins: this has been proven.
- Without restrictions, the first player always wins: this has been proven. Tournament rules therefore add compulsory openings.
- In renju, the tournament variant, a line of six stones or more does not win for Black: only an exact five counts.
- Three-by-three noughts and crosses is the pocket version of the same idea.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
What is the aim?
Line up five stones of your colour, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, before your opponent. The game is played on the intersections of a go board.
Does the player who starts have an advantage?
Yes, the first player (Black) has the advantage. Tournament rules (Swap, Renju) add restrictions on Black to rebalance it.
Can you win with six stones or more?
In free-style gomoku, a line of five or more wins. In Renju (strict rules), an "overline" of six does not count as a win for Black.
What is the classic beginner's mistake?
Only defending one side of a threat. An open four (free at both ends) cannot be stopped: you have to block it before it forms.
How is it different from noughts and crosses?
Noughts and crosses is played on 3×3 for a line of three; gomoku on a large board for five. The tactical depth is in a different league.