Go-Moku

About this board game

Go-Moku is a two-player abstract game that takes about 5 minutes, in which players compete to place five stones in a row on an expansive grid. Also known as Gomoku or wuziqi, it can be played with a Go set or on graph paper using X’s and O’s.

The objective is simple: create an unbroken line of five stones before your opponent does. Unlike tic-tac-toe, Go-Moku is played across a much larger and more open field, offering considerably greater scale and complexity. A 19×19 Go board is the traditional setting, while a 15×15 board is another popular choice.

Black plays first, but perfect play means Black can always win. The game’s swap2 opening setup addresses this first-player advantage without requiring special restrictions during the rest of the game.

• Place two black stones and one white stone to begin.
• The second player may take the white stones and continue, take the black stones and pass, or place one additional stone of each color.
• If another pair is added, the first player makes the final choice of colors.

After the opening choice, play continues normally. This approach gives both players a meaningful decision before the main contest begins, while keeping the rules straightforward once the game is underway.

The name means “five points,” and the game’s origins are debated, with more evidence pointing to China than Japan. Listed with a release year of 700, Go-Moku is an enduring connection between classic grid-based play and the traditional Go set.