Gomoku Openings: The First Three Moves That Decide the Game
Gomoku has no opening book to memorise — but the first three moves still decide most games. This guide explains what to do in the opening, why the centre matters, and the mistakes that hand the game away before move ten.
Why openings matter in gomoku
In chess, the opening is about development and pawn structure. In gomoku it is simpler and harsher: every stone you add creates lines that can grow into five, and every line you ignore can be used by your opponent. The first three moves decide which half of the board is yours to attack and which lines you spend the rest of the game defending.
The one principle: play through the centre
A stone on the centre point has four directions to grow in. A stone on the edge has three, and two of them die at the boundary. That asymmetry is why every serious gomoku player opens near the middle: the centre is where the lines are longest, and the player who controls it forces the other player to defend from the outside in.
In practice: black's first move should be the centre point or one step from it. White's reply should stay in contact with black — usually adjacent or diagonally adjacent — so the first fight happens in the middle, not on the rim.
A practical three-move opening
- Black: centre. Take the middle point.
- White: adjacent. Play next to black, on the side where you have the most room to grow.
- Black: switch directions. Play so that your second stone creates a second line of development. A diagonal or a knight's move away is better than stacking a third stone in the same row — two lines are harder to defend than one.
This is the shape of almost every strong opening: one central stone, one point of contact, then a move that gives black two ways to attack. It is not a memorised sequence; it is a principle you can apply from either side.
Three opening mistakes
Playing on the rim. An edge stone can still win, but it starts with fewer lines and no room to develop. Beginners play on the edge because it feels safe; it is the opposite.
Stacking one line. Three stones in a row look impressive and defend easily. If your opening leaves you with only one line, a single block kills your attack.
Ignoring the contact point. If white plays far from black to “build quietly”, black gets to develop both diagonals for free. In the opening, distance is a gift to your opponent.
Competitive note: renju has 26 named openings built from prescribed first three stones, and they exist precisely because the opening matters so much. You do not need any of them for casual play — but if you want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes, read the renju rules guide.
How to practise openings
Play the free gomoku board on Medium, and after each game look at the first three moves on both sides. Ask: did the centre go to the player who deserved it, and did anyone create two lines? Then play the same opening again and see whether the result changes. Ten games of this will teach you more than any opening chart.
Last updated: November 2026