Five in a Row (Gomoku)

How to play Five in a Row

Five in a Row — also called Gomoku, Gobang or Caro — is played on the intersections of a 15×15 grid. One player has black stones, the other white. Black moves first.

Rules

1. Players take turns placing one stone on any empty intersection.
2. Stones are never moved or removed once placed.
3. The first player to form an unbroken line of five or more stones horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins.
4. If the board fills up with no line of five, the game is a draw.

Rule variant used here

This version uses freestyle Gomoku: a line of six or more also counts as a win, and there are no restrictions on the first player. Tournament variants such as Renju add extra rules for black to balance the first-move advantage.

Strategy tips

• Learn the threats. An open four (four in a row with both ends empty) cannot be blocked and wins next turn. An open three must be answered at once or it becomes an open four.
• Make double threats. Most games are won by one move that creates two threats at the same time — for example, a four and an open three — so your opponent can only block one.
• Attack keeps the initiative. While you keep making threats your opponent must respond, and they never get time to build their own.
• Play close to the action. Stones far from the existing cluster rarely matter. Keep your moves connected to your own stones and to your opponent's weak points.
• Always check for their four. Before attacking, look for any line of four your opponent could complete next move.