Gomoku

Goal

Gomoku (five in a row) is a classic strategy game played on a 15×15 board. You play ✕ and the computer plays ◯. Players take turns placing a piece on an empty cell. The first to line up five pieces in a row — horizontally, vertically or diagonally — wins. If the board fills up with no winner, it’s a draw.

Controls

• Computer: click an empty cell to place your piece.
• Phone: tap an empty cell to place your piece.
• Pick Easy / Medium / Hard above the board; you can change it mid-game.
• Choose You first or AI first; changing it starts a new game.
• Undo takes back your last move and the AI’s reply.
• 2 players: choose 2 players to play with a friend on the same device, taking turns with ✕ and ◯. Undo takes back one move.

Tips

• Always watch for an opponent’s three with both ends open — if you don’t block it, it becomes an open four that can’t be stopped.
• Create two threats at once, such as a four and an open three, so your opponent can’t block both.
• Playing near the centre early gives you more directions to grow.