How to play
Gomoku is played on the intersections of a 15 × 15 grid. Black moves first, then the players take turns placing one stone at a time. The first to make an unbroken line of five or more stones across, down or diagonally wins. This version uses free-style rules: both sides can play anywhere, and six or more in a row also counts. Tap an intersection to place a stone; the red dot marks the latest move, and Undo takes back your last move together with the computer’s reply.
Computer levels
Easy plays loosely and sometimes misses your threats. Normal scores every point by the shapes it makes for both sides and plays the best one. Hard puts more weight on defence and checks your strongest reply before it moves. Wins are counted separately for each level and saved in this browser.
Tips
Answer an open three — three in a row with both ends free — right away, before it grows into an open four that can’t be stopped. The strongest attack is a double threat: one move that makes two open threes, or a four and an open three, so your opponent can block only one. Moving first is a real advantage, so once you can beat a level, try it again as white.