How to Play Gomoku Against AI: Rules, Threats and Beginner Strategy
In Gomoku, connect five stones horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Winning depends on the threats your next move creates. Before building your own attack, check whether the opponent can finish a line on their next turn.
Play Game1. Block an immediate win first
Check every horizontal, vertical and diagonal line for four opposing stones and an empty winning point. A gap between four stones can be just as dangerous as an empty endpoint.
Four consecutive stones with both ends open cannot be stopped by blocking only one end. Try to interrupt the open three before it becomes an open four.
2. Build connections near the center
Early central moves leave more directions available than moves against the board edge. This is a useful starting habit, but an urgent defensive move still takes priority.
Place stones near existing ones and look for a move that contributes to two lines at once. Consider where the opponent would block and whether a second threat would remain.
3. Compare open and closed threes
A row of three with two empty ends can grow into an open four. A row blocked by an opposing stone or the board edge has fewer options.
Count empty endpoints and gaps as well as stones. This makes it easier to distinguish an urgent threat from a line that can wait.
4. Choose the rules before starting
The settings button on the play page lets you change the AI level, stone color and board size. Start with a lower AI level while learning to recognize threats.
The Renju option restricts black moves such as overlines, double fours and double threes. Check this setting before the game; an attempted forbidden move displays its reason.
5. Review one turning point
After a loss, find the moment when the opponent first created an open four. Consider whether your previous move could have interrupted it. Repeating this small review is more useful than memorizing an entire game.
Use Start to begin and New Game to try again. The limited undo option lets you compare candidate moves during practice.