Gomoku

Be the first player to get exactly five (or more in some variants) of your stones in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Create an unbroken line of exactly five stones of your color (or five or more, depending on rules). If the board fills without a winner, the game is a draw.

The game is played on a 15x15 grid (sometimes 19x19, the same as a Go board). The board starts empty. Black plays first and players use black and white stones.

Control the center of the board - it provides the most opportunities for five in a row. Look for double threats (open threes or fours) that cannot be blocked in one move. An 'open four' (four in a row with both ends open) is an immediate win if unblocked.

Renju: Professional rules for Black to balance first-move advantage. Black cannot make double fours, double threes, or overlines. Standard: Any five or more in a row wins for both players. Opening rules: Swap or swap2 rules help balance the strong first-player advantage.