Gomoku

Category: Entertainment Author: Henrick Yau
- July 08, 2025
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Play Gomoku (Five in a Row) - a classic strategy board game where players take turns placing stones to get five in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Challenge the AI or play with a friend!

Note: This game requires strategic thinking and planning. The first player to get five stones in a row wins!

Game Setup

Black stones (goes first)
White stones (goes second)

Advanced Game Options

About Gomoku

Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row, is a classic strategy board game traditionally played on a Go board. The objective is to be the first player to get five stones in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Game Rules
  • Objective: Get five stones in a row before your opponent
  • Turn Order: Black stones move first, then white stones alternate
  • Placement: Stones are placed on intersections of the board lines
  • Winning: First player to achieve five consecutive stones wins
  • No Captures: Unlike Go, stones are never captured or removed
Basic Strategy
  • Center Control: Start near the center for maximum flexibility
  • Multiple Threats: Create multiple potential winning lines
  • Blocking: Prevent opponent from getting four in a row
  • Forks: Create two threats simultaneously
  • Tempo: Force opponent to respond to your threats
Advanced Techniques
  • Double Threes: Creating two open three-in-a-row patterns
  • Forced Moves: Moves that create immediate threats
  • Sacrificial Moves: Allowing opponent to block while setting up bigger threats
  • Pattern Recognition: Identifying common winning formations
  • Endgame: Calculating forced sequences to victory
Board Sizes
  • 13x13: Quick games, more tactical, less strategic depth
  • 15x15: Standard tournament size, balanced gameplay
  • 19x19: Professional size, maximum strategic complexity
AI Difficulty Levels
  • Easy: Random moves with basic threat recognition
  • Medium: Pattern-based play with simple planning
  • Hard: Advanced pattern recognition and threat analysis
  • Expert: Deep search algorithms and professional patterns

Game Disclaimer: This Gomoku game is designed for entertainment and educational purposes. The AI uses various difficulty levels to provide appropriate challenges. Game results and analysis are based on standard Gomoku rules and strategies. Regular practice will improve your strategic thinking and pattern recognition skills.

What Is the Gomoku Calculator?

The Gomoku Calculator is an interactive strategy Game tool that lets you simulate and analyze games of Gomoku, also known as Five in a Row. It’s a digital version of the classic board game where two players take turns placing stones on a grid, aiming to align five of their pieces in a straight line.

With support for AI opponents, different board sizes, player customization, and post-game analysis, this tool helps players of all skill levels improve their decision-making, visualize strategies, and enjoy a competitive challenge.

Purpose and How It Helps

Whether you're learning the game, practicing strategy, or just looking for a mental challenge, this Gomoku Calculator can enhance your skills and provide meaningful insights:

  • Sharpen your pattern recognition and tactical foresight
  • Test strategic ideas against multiple AI difficulties
  • Use threat analysis to better understand move outcomes
  • Replay past moves and study winning sequences

It’s a valuable tool for improving game sense, much like how a romantic compatibility tool helps assess relationship dynamics or how a numerology chart provides deeper insight into patterns and tendencies.

How to Use the Gomoku Calculator

Follow these steps to get started:

  • Select a Game Mode: Choose to play against the AI, another person, or watch AI vs AI matches.
  • Pick a Board Size: Options include 13x13, 15x15 (standard), or 19x19 for a more strategic game.
  • Adjust AI Difficulty: From easy to expert, you can select how challenging your opponent should be.
  • Set Time Limits: Add time pressure to simulate tournament conditions or play casually with no timer.
  • Customize Player Names and Settings: Personalize your experience with name entries, undo permissions, and more.
  • Play the Game: Click to place your stones. The tool highlights the last move, tracks turns, and shows player stats.
  • View Game Results: After the match, see who won, how, and review move-by-move analysis.

Understanding Winning in Gomoku

To win, a player must place five stones in a row without being blocked. This can be:

  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
  • Diagonal (either direction)

The game ends when a player wins or the board is full (a draw). Threats, forks, and smart openings are crucial for success, similar to how a female delusion scale or relationship standards tool gives perspective on choices, this calculator shows how different decisions play out over time.

Key Features

  • AI Thinking Display: See when the AI is evaluating a move.
  • Move History: Revisit each step of the game.
  • Hint Button: Get AI suggestions on optimal moves.
  • Winning Sequence Display: Visual breakdown of how victory was achieved.
  • Auto-Save: Continue your game later without losing progress.

Why Use This Instead of a Physical Board?

This digital Gomoku Calculator offers features that a traditional board can’t:

  • Instant move validation and win checking
  • Game saving and loading for long matches
  • Visual highlights of threats and strategic patterns
  • Flexible play modes with no need for a second person

It’s perfect for solo practice, friendly competitions, and even simulated AI battles, just like an online Dice Roller makes it easy to simulate dice rolls for games, or how a TV screen dimensions guide simplifies choosing the best screen for your space.

FAQs

Is this game the same as Go?
No. Gomoku is played on a Go board but the rules are simpler, there are no captures, and the only goal is to make five in a row.

Can I play with a friend?
Yes. Choose the “Player vs Player” mode to play side-by-side on the same device.

Does the AI get smarter at higher levels?
Yes. Difficulty levels affect how far ahead the AI looks and how well it detects threats, similar to how a partner match analysis tool becomes more insightful with deeper inputs.

What is the time limit feature?
It simulates competitive conditions by enforcing a countdown for each move. You can set this from no limit to 10 minutes per move.

Can I analyze my past games?
Yes. After the match, the tool shows move history, winning sequences, and performance summaries.

Summary

This Gomoku Calculator combines gameplay, strategy training, and fun in a single tool. It offers players the chance to learn, improve, and enjoy a competitive experience, whether you're simulating a random dice roll, checking a crush compatibility score, or diving into numerology insights, tools like this one empower smart decisions and informed thinking.