Freestyle
The best-known gomoku rule. Either color wins by connecting five or more in any direction — no forbidden moves, and an overline of six still counts.
Exact five — the sixth stone stops counting
Five wins, six does not. That single difference turns Black's habit of stretching lines too long into a weakness, without any forbidden moves.
The ruling
An unbroken line of exactly five in any direction wins. A line of six or more — an overline — is not a win, and the game continues.
The same rule binds both colors. An overline can never become a win later, so the player has to build exactly five somewhere else.
Why the rule exists
In freestyle, Black's crudest plan — extend every line as long as possible — is strong because a six still wins. Exact five turns the sixth stone into a wasted move.
The Swap2 rule used at the world championship judges wins exactly the same way; only the opening ceremony differs.
How it differs from renju
Renju restricts Black alone with forbidden moves. Exact five allows double-threes and double-fours for both colors and simply refuses overlines — far easier to learn.
Common questions
Do I lose if I play a sixth stone?
No — the line just cannot win. Play continues, and that line can never become a winning line afterwards.
Does it only restrict Black?
No. Neither color may win with an overline. Renju is the rule that forbids overlines for Black alone.
How is it different from Swap2?
The win condition is identical. Swap2 only adds a tournament opening where one side places three stones and the other chooses a color.
See the other rules
Caro · cờ caro
The Vietnamese gomoku rule. Exactly five in a row wins — unless the opponent has sealed both ends of the line.
Renju
The official RIF rule. Forbidden moves — double-three, double-four and overline — apply to Black alone to erase the first-move advantage. White is unrestricted.
Renju · official opening
Renju forbidden moves plus the RIF opening: first move on the center, second inside 3×3, third inside 5×5, then White may swap colors and Black offers two fifth moves.
Gomoku · Swap2
The world-championship opening. One side places black-white-black, and the opponent either picks a color or adds two stones and hands the choice back. Wins need exactly five.