Gomoku, a traditional Japanese board game that is played by two people, is comparable to but more challenging than the game tic-tac-toe.. The best way to play it is with a standard Go board. You can easily play the game on the go without having to use a Go board. At that point, all you need is graph paper or the ability to draw relatively straight lines and you’re ready to go. Gomoku is an abstract game that involves five-in-a-row play on a 19-line board. The game’s objective is to arrange five stones in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Gomoku is a traditional Japanese game that can be found in various Asian cultures. It is also referred to as Gobang, Igo, and Ponukumu! What is your preferred way to play Gomoku? As in the Japanese game Tengen, players use pencils and dice to play on paper. Playing online or using a phone app that calculates all of your options before making them may be your preference!
Between 1890 and 1920 AD, Edmondo de Acimis was believed to have invented Gomoku. There are two different explanations for the origin of this game. The primary reason for its origin is the ancient Japanese word ‘go’, which means ‘five’. Supporters of this theory claim that the reason for winning is to get five in a row!
The second theory suggests that Gomoku originated from a Buddhist game played around 1000 AD, where stones were placed at the intersections of lines within specific boundaries.
Gomoku rules
Gomoku is a board game that is played on a 19×19 square board. There are 361 intersections where you can place a stone. Each player has 60 stones to put on the intersections, which they do in an alternate manner. The game is initiated by the player who has the black stones. The player who has black stones places the first stone at the center of the board. On one of the eight intersections, the white player places their stone next to the black stone. The black player continues playing until they have successfully aligned five stones of their own color.
The game ends when one player achieves a line of 5 stones in a row vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. In the event that neither player manages to create a 5-stone lineup after placing all of their stones, the game is declared a tie and both players must start over. In Gomoku matches, the first inning is given to the person who started with black and the second inning goes to the person who started with white.
How to win Gomoku
Unlike every other game, Gomoku is a strategic game that stimulates the reasoning and arithmetic parts of your brain. This guide will assist you with stressful game moves and just require some practice.
Here are some best tips on how to win in Gomoku.
Before the game
It’s important to know everything you can about your opponent when playing a live Gomoku game. All gomoku players have their own game history. Analyze their theoretical knowledge, personality, and mental fortitude. You can ask players who are familiar with the opponent and gather as much relevant information as you can.
To improve, you must play with better players and compete with their minds. If you play weak players all the time, your mind won’t be challenged.
Don’t just focus on the moves; consider why the player moved there and what their plan was after each move. It’s possible to come up with a better move for the job later.
During training, aim to outdo your opponent instead of simply employing an opening or scheme that he is unfamiliar with. Try to convince yourself that you are a better player than your opponent is. It’s much more satisfying than just winning.
To improve flaws like theory, positional play, and slow thinking, you need to train. If you don’t, your opponents will use these flaws against you.
Play more live games, which are completely different experiences from playing online games. The intensity of excitement, tension, and emotions is much more intense than on the Internet. Training on the boards in real-time will help you get used to it and improve your live tournament skills.
During the game
Block the opponent’s four before contemplating. Ignore the impact that this four would have on the position. If you want to continue playing, you only have one more move. The position can be considered after the move.
Before playing, make sure to check the position after your opponent’s move. Don’t play your move with seconds if your opponent makes a move you expected, and ensure that the position you had in your mind will be replicated on the board. Make a plan and stick to it. Adjust as needed. Create a game plan and adhere to it before the game.
Create a game plan and keep it in mind before the game. Make an effort to adhere to the plan with every move you make. It’s best to allow your opponent to attack while you maintain control of the position until your opponent has nowhere to attack from. Get ready to launch an attack on yourself.
Relax your mind while your opponent is on the clock when playing a long live game. Because it is difficult to concentrate for the entire 4 hours, you should either think about something else other than the game or not think at all.
When it comes to your turn, you usually have the first idea within seconds and stick to it. Once in awhile, try playing a new move that will refresh the game and may surprise the opponent after finding your usual move.
It is important to pay special attention and spend more time on the first ten moves of the game because they will greatly impact the rest of the game. Even if you’re the best player in the world, you won’t be able to save a mistake at the start of the game.
After the game
This is the final and most significant piece of advice we can provide you with. The goal of Gomoku is to have fun and enjoy the game. Playing fairly shows that you value sportsmanship and your opponent. Try to understand what Gomoku is all about. On the flip side, fight hard and never give up on any move or game.
