Gomoku
How to Play
Gomoku - also called five in a row - is a free unblocked strategy board game you can play right in your browser. Place stones on the board and be the first to line up five in a row across, down, or diagonally, while blocking your opponent from doing the same. Play Solo against Scout the fox (an AI rated ELO 900) - you take black and always move first - or choose Play Together and take turns with a friend on the same screen. There is an undo button for take-backs, gentle stone-click sounds, and win confetti. No download, no sign-up.
Browser Controls
- Place a Stone: Click or tap an empty point on the board to place your stone. In Play Solo you take black and always move first.
- Undo: Made a mistake? Hit Undo to take back a move - handy while you are learning the game.
- Modes: Play Solo faces you against Scout the fox (ELO 900). Play Together lets two players take turns on the same screen.
Special Rules
- Five in a Row Wins: The first player to form an unbroken line of five stones - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - wins the game.
- Stones Never Move: Once a stone is placed it stays put. The board only fills up, so every move permanently shapes the fight.
- Black Moves First: Black has the first-move advantage, and in Play Solo you are black - use that tempo to set the pace.
Winning Patterns
- Build Open Threes: Three stones in a row with both ends open forces your opponent to respond - chain threats together to take control.
- Never Ignore a Four: If your opponent has four in a row with an open end, block it immediately or the game ends next move.
- Watch the Diagonals: Most beginners miss diagonal lines. Scan all four directions before every move - for your threats and theirs.
- Create Double Threats: The classic winning pattern is two threats at once, so your opponent can only block one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gomoku?
Gomoku is a classic abstract strategy board game, also known as five in a row (and gomoku narabe in Japan). Two players take turns placing black and white stones on a grid; the first to line up five stones in a row - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - wins. This version runs free in your browser with no download or sign-up.
Is Gomoku unblocked?
Yes. It is a lightweight HTML5 game that runs entirely in the browser with nothing to install, so it typically loads on school and library Chromebooks where app downloads are blocked.
Can I play Gomoku against the computer?
Yes. Play Solo mode pits you against Scout, a fox AI opponent rated ELO 900, while you play from an ELO 1200 start - and you always get black.
Can two people play on one computer?
Yes. Play Together mode is a classic hot-seat match: two players take turns on the same screen. There is no online multiplayer.
Who moves first in Gomoku?
Black always moves first, and going first is a real advantage in gomoku. In Play Solo you are black, so the opening tempo is yours.
Is Gomoku the same as Renju?
They are close relatives. Renju is the professional, tournament version that restricts black with forbidden moves to balance the first-move advantage. This game is gomoku - the casual, family version of five in a row where any five in a row wins.
How is Gomoku different from Four in a Row?
In four in a row (connect-four-style games) discs drop to the bottom of a column and you need four. In gomoku you place a stone on any empty point of the board and you need five - which makes it a far more open, deeper game.
Is Gomoku just big tic-tac-toe?
It starts from the same idea - line up your marks - but the bigger board and the five-stone target create real strategy: open threes, double threats, and forcing sequences that tic-tac-toe never reaches.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. The Undo button lets you take back a move, which makes this version friendly for learning, experimenting, and casual play.
Do I need to download anything or make an account?
No. It is an instant-load HTML5 browser game - no downloads, no installs, no account, and no sign-up.