Gomoku Rules

The game is played on a predefined board by 

two players

. One player uses crosses (x) or black stones, and the other uses noughts (o) or white stones.

The objective is to make a 

straight line of 5 stones

 of your own color, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

The player using black (x) starts the game. The players then take turns, making 

one move each

.

A move consists of 

placing one stone on an empty square

 of the board. Once placed, stones cannot be moved.

There are a couple of settings you can change in the 

game settings

 dialog box.

Stones can be placed on 

any field

 from the start of the game. Lines longer than 5 are also valid.

Black starts with placing a stone in the 

center of the board

. White may place the next stone anywhere on the board. Black’s second stone must be placed at least 

three squares away from the center

.

Black starts with placing a stone in the 

center of the board

. White may place the next stone anywhere on the board. Black’s second stone must be placed at least 

four squares away from the center

.

The 

first player places three stones

 on the board, two blacks (x) and one white (o). The other player may then either accept the position and continue by placing a white stone (o), or swap colors and let the starting player continue as white (o). To swap colors, press the “S” button below, next to the player’s name.

The 

first player places three stones

 on the board, two blacks (x) and one white (o). The other player then has three choices: