The board and the stones
The board is a grid of 15 lines by 15 lines, which gives 225 intersections. Columns are lettered A to O and rows are numbered 1 to 15, so the centre point is H8 (how big the board is). Black has one colour of stone and White the other, and there are always enough stones to fill the board.
Taking turns
Black moves first, then the players alternate. On your turn you place one stone on any empty intersection, anywhere on the board, including the first move (who goes first). A stone must go on a free intersection and you cannot pass.
Once placed, a stone stays where it is for the rest of the game. Stones are never moved, swapped or removed, and nothing is captured (can stones be captured).
Winning with five in a row
The first player to make an unbroken line of five or more of their own stones wins at once. The line can run across, up and down, or diagonally in either direction (how many in a row you need).
A line longer than five also wins. Making six or seven in a row is not penalised and does not need to be exactly five (does six in a row win). A line with a gap in it, such as four stones, an empty point and a fifth stone, does not count until the gap is filled.
Drawn games
If all 225 intersections are filled and neither player has five in a row, the game is a draw (can Gomoku end in a draw). In practice most games end long before the board is full.
Gomoku rules for two players
These are the rules as played here: freestyle Gomoku with no restrictions on Black. Some tournament versions, such as Renju, add extra limits for the first player, but those are not used on this site. To put the rules to work, read the Gomoku strategy guide, or play Gomoku free with a friend or the computer. No sign-up.
Gomoku rules questions
How many in a row do you need to win Gomoku?
You need five stones of your colour in an unbroken straight line: across, up and down, or diagonally. The first player to make five wins at once.
Read the full answer →Does six in a row win in Gomoku?
Yes, here. A line of five or more of your stones wins, so six or seven in a row is a win too. Some tournament versions only accept exactly five.
Read the full answer →How big is a Gomoku board?
The board is 15 by 15 lines, which gives 225 intersections. Columns run A to O, rows run 1 to 15, and stones are placed on the intersections.
Read the full answer →Who goes first in Gomoku?
Black always goes first, then the players alternate. Black may play any empty intersection, with no restriction on the first move or on later moves.
Read the full answer →Can Gomoku end in a draw?
Yes. If all 225 intersections are filled and neither player has five in a row, the game is a draw. It is rare, because most games are decided much sooner.
Read the full answer →Can you capture stones in Gomoku?
No. Stones are never captured, moved or removed in Gomoku. Once a stone is placed it stays on its intersection until the game ends.
Read the full answer →Play Gomoku free →Invite a friend or practice with the computer. No sign-up.