Gomoku Online - Free Five in a Row (Gomoku) Game vs AI

You

Gomoku Online at a glance

What it is: Gomoku (Five in a Row) is a strategy board game on a 15x15 grid where you connect five stones of your colour in a straight line to win.
Who you play: An AI opponent with four difficulty levels - Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert - or a friend in real time through an online room link.
Your colour: Black, and you always move first.
Cost: Free, with no account, no download and no ads in the play area.
Devices: Phones, tablets and desktops - tap or click to place a stone.

What is Gomoku?

Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, is a classic strategy board game that originated in ancient China. The objective is simple yet challenging: be the first player to get five of your stones in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. This timeless game combines easy-to-learn rules with deep strategic gameplay that has captivated players for centuries.

Our online Gomoku platform brings this beloved game to the digital age, allowing you to play against sophisticated AI opponents. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics or an expert honing your skills, our platform provides the perfect environment to enjoy this engaging strategy game.

How to Play Gomoku

1. Place your first stone

You play as black and you move first. Click or tap any empty intersection on the 15x15 grid to drop your first stone - the centre is usually the strongest opening.

2. Let the AI respond

The white AI opponent immediately places its own stone on a nearby empty intersection. Each turn alternates automatically, so you only ever need to think about your next move.

3. Build a line of five

Win by connecting five of your stones in a straight line - horizontally, vertically or diagonally. In this casual ruleset an overline of six or more stones also counts as a win.

4. Use hints and undo

Tap Hint to highlight the strongest available move, or Undo to take back the last exchange and try a different line. Fullscreen gives the board the whole screen.

Complete Gomoku Rules Guide

1. Basic Game Setup

Gomoku is played on a 15×15 grid board with 225 intersection points. Players use black and white stones, with black stones traditionally going first. The board is initially empty, and players take turns placing one stone per turn on any empty intersection.

2. Official Gomoku Rules

The standard gomoku rules are simple: be the first to get exactly five stones in a row. The line can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Six or more stones in a row do not count as a win in tournament play, though casual games often allow this.

3. Turn Order and Placement

Black always moves first, giving them a slight advantage. Players alternate turns, and once a stone is placed, it cannot be moved or removed. Stones must be placed on intersection points, not in the squares.

4. Winning Conditions

A player wins by creating an unbroken line of exactly five stones. The winning line must be straight - no bent or curved lines count. If the board fills up without either player achieving five in a row, the game is declared a draw.

5. Professional Tournament Rules

In professional play, additional rules may apply such as the "swap rule" or "pie rule" to balance the first-player advantage. Some tournaments use opening restrictions to prevent memorized sequences from dominating play.

6. Forbidden Moves (Renju Rules)

In Renju (professional Gomoku), black has restrictions: no double-three, double-four, or overlines (six or more). These rules balance the first-player advantage but are not used in casual Gomoku games.

Gomoku Strategy Tips

Control the Center

Starting near the center gives you more opportunities to create winning combinations in multiple directions.

Create Multiple Threats

Force your opponent to defend against multiple potential winning lines simultaneously.

Block Opponent's Fours

Always block when your opponent has four in a row, as they will win on their next turn otherwise.

Look for Forks

Create situations where you have two ways to win, making it impossible for your opponent to block both.

Build Connected Stones

Keep your stones connected and avoid isolated pieces. Connected stones create more opportunities for winning combinations.

Think Ahead

Always consider your opponent's next move. Plan 2-3 moves ahead and anticipate their defensive strategies.

Game Features

🤖 AI Opponents

Challenge AI with multiple difficulty levels, from beginner-friendly to expert-level gameplay.

💡 Hints & Analysis

Ask for a hint at any point and the engine highlights the strongest move on the board.

↩️ Undo Move

Take back the last exchange and explore a different line without restarting the game.

⛶ Fullscreen Board

Expand the board to fill your entire screen for the biggest possible grid on phones and tablets.

📱 Responsive Design

Play seamlessly on desktop, tablet, or mobile devices with our adaptive interface and touch-friendly controls.

🎯 No Registration

Jump straight into the game without creating accounts or downloading software.

Gomoku vs Other Games

Game	Board Size	Objective	Complexity
Gomoku	15×15	Five in a row	Medium
Tic-tac-toe	3×3	Three in a row	Low
Connect Four	7×6	Four in a row	Medium
Go	19×19	Territory control	Very High

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gomoku?

Gomoku, also called Five in a Row, is a board game played on a 15x15 grid of intersections. Two players alternate placing black and white stones, and the first player to connect five of their own stones in a straight line - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - wins.

Is Gomoku the same as Go?

No. Both games use black and white stones on a grid, but they have different objectives. Gomoku is about connecting five stones in a row, while Go is about controlling territory and capturing stones.

Can I play Gomoku on mobile devices?

Yes. The board scales to fit your screen, the controls are sized for touch, and a fullscreen mode gives you the largest possible playing area on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Do I need to create an account?

No registration is required. Open the page and start playing immediately against the AI, or create an online room and send the link to a friend - there is no download, no login, and no payment.

What's the difference between difficulty levels?

Easy AI plays mostly random moves with light strategy, Medium uses minimax search with basic position evaluation, Hard applies alpha-beta pruning with a deeper search, and Expert runs the full advanced engine with enhanced pattern recognition for the toughest games.

Is Gomoku Online really free?

Yes. Every feature on this page - all four AI levels, online play with a friend, hints, undo, and fullscreen - is free and needs no account.

Can I play a friend online?

Yes. Switch to Online mode, create a room and send the link to your friend. The game runs over a live WebSocket connection, so every move shows up instantly on both screens. You play as black and move first, and no account is needed.

Can I play Gomoku offline?

Yes. Gomoku Online is an installable progressive web app that caches the game files, so you can add it to your home screen and keep playing with no connection.

Play Gomoku Online - Free Five in a Row Board Game vs AI

Gomoku Online at a glance

What is Gomoku?

How to Play Gomoku

1. Place your first stone

2. Let the AI respond

3. Build a line of five

4. Use hints and undo

Complete Gomoku Rules Guide

1. Basic Game Setup

2. Official Gomoku Rules

3. Turn Order and Placement

4. Winning Conditions

5. Professional Tournament Rules

6. Forbidden Moves (Renju Rules)

Gomoku Strategy Tips

Control the Center

Create Multiple Threats

Block Opponent's Fours

Look for Forks

Build Connected Stones

Think Ahead

Game Features

🤖 AI Opponents

💡 Hints & Analysis

↩️ Undo Move

⛶ Fullscreen Board

📱 Responsive Design

🎯 No Registration

Gomoku vs Other Games

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gomoku?

Is Gomoku the same as Go?

Can I play Gomoku on mobile devices?

Do I need to create an account?

What's the difference between difficulty levels?

Is Gomoku Online really free?

Can I play a friend online?

Can I play Gomoku offline?