Stonewake · Rules

How to play Gomoku

Stonewake uses freestyle Gomoku on a board of 15 × 15 intersections. Black places the first stone, then Black and White alternate one stone per turn.

Place a stone

Choose an empty intersection where two grid lines cross. Occupied intersections cannot be used. Stones stay where they are placed; there are no captures.

Connect five or more

A continuous line of at least five stones of one color wins. The line may run horizontally, vertically or along either diagonal. A line of six or more also wins in this freestyle game. If every intersection is filled without a winning line, the game is a draw.

Watch both ends

Four connected stones with an empty end threaten a win on the next turn. Block that end if you cannot win immediately. A line open at both ends creates two winning points, so look for it before the fourth stone is placed.

Look along both diagonals as well as rows and columns. A gap between stones can be the single move that completes a line.

Computer or two players

Against the computer you play Black. Two players shares this screen, taking turns as Black and White. Each mode has its own saved round.

Undo removes your latest turn against the computer, including its reply when one has arrived. In two-player mode it removes one stone. New game clears only the selected mode after confirmation.

Keyboard controls

Use the arrow keys to choose an intersection, then Enter or Space to place a stone. Home selects the first intersection in the row; End selects the last. Tab moves between the board and the other controls.

Ruleset sources

The RIF-hosted Go-Moku research, section 5.2.1 describes the 15 × 15 board, alternating turns and freestyle overlines. The International Computer Games Association rules survey distinguishes freestyle play from variants with opening restrictions or exact-five rules.