Games & Puzzles
Gomoku
Five in a row wins, and moving first is an enormous advantage
The rules take a minute, which is its best feature: pen and paper is enough. Be aware that free-style gomoku is a proven first-player win, which is why serious play uses opening restrictions to balance it, or games stop being interesting quickly. Learn the basic double-threat shapes; two open threes at once ends it.
First stepPlay ten games on paper or in an app under renju rules, which restrict the first player, until you can set up a double open three on purpose.
Barriers
Cost to start
Free
Going deep → $50–300
Alone or with people
Anyone will do
Effort
Sitting
Without a teacher?
Self-taught
One session takes
Under 30 min
Where
At home
Why people take it up